Throwback Thursday

As a Suburban One League fan and follower I was at once thrilled and surprised by the Redskins 2001 climb to gold. The thrills were, 1) seeing a team I had first begun to follow in 1951 win it, and, 2) seeing a second Suburban One team win a state championship. The surprise was that for all my years of following the Skins I was not sure this was their year, even as I saw 7 of their games unfold.

Although the Central Bucks West Bucks’ had lost the 2000 championship in overtime to Erie Cathedral Prep, which also ended a 59-game winning streak and three consecutive state titles; there was still some that thought the Bucks’ would still dominate, despite a second abrupt coaching change going into 2001.

And Neshaminy had last made the playoffs in the first state championship season of 1988 where they ran into Cedar Cliff and future pro Kyle Brady. In 2013 I sat at a game with Rick Lee, who was a coach on the 1988 Neshaminy sideline and he gave me some lasting impressions of Brady and the 1988 game at J. Birney Crum Stadium. Ouch! 24-0 Cedar Cliff.

In retrospect, the 2001 record of Neshaminy is a tribute to tenacity and daring, and what can be accomplished with everybody on the same page. As we will see this was not your typical state championship team that went out and beat everyone by 40 points. This team had a will and desire that may have outdone them all.

Four times the Skins were down by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter of games; 12 – 14 – 14 – and 15 were the tallies behind. Six games were won by a TD or less. Two games were won with under a minute to go in the game; one with 00:00 left on the clock. It was not a season for the faint-of-heart.

Neshaminy had come off of a 6-4 tour in 2000, and Head Coach Mark Schmidt was starting his 7^th season with a record of 32-29. Running Back Jamar Brittingham was returning for his senior season after setting a new team rushing record in 2000 and earning the Bucks County Courier Times player of the year. Jamar was not alone as 94 players dotted the 2001 Skins roster.

The 2001 Skins opened with Philadelphia Catholic League foe Father Judge. In the first quarter, Jamar Brittingham broke one for 64 yards to go up 6-0. A freshman kicker, Kevin Kelly, a future Penn State kicker made his first of many, many PATs, 7-0 Redskins. But the Crusaders came to play and in the second quarter scored twice – on a 44-yard Hennigar to O’Brien pass (PAT kick blocked); and a 13-yard Hennigar run (PAT O’Brien pass from Hennigar); 14-7 Judge at the half.

In the third quarter Brittingham ran a 5-yard score, probably off of a drive, and a pass for the PAT failed, leaving the third quarter score 14-13 Judge. The Crusaders’ O’Brien then ran back the ensuing kickoff 92 yards to the house, and then he kicked the PAT; at the end of three quarters Judge 21 Neshaminy 13. In the fourth quarter, Jamar broke one for 74 yards and a score, whereupon Skins junior QB Jay Wiater hit Geoff Donahue for a 2-point PAT. It’s knotted at 21 in the fourth stanza. But with a little less than 4 minutes left in the game the Crusaders QB Hennigar threw for 5 yards and a score to Mullen. The PAT kick was no good. After the kickoff Neshaminy would start a drive with 3:42 left in the game, down 27-21. On a third and one, Brittingham bolted for 44 yards and life. Two plays later Jamar ran the final 2 yards for his fourth TD of the game and a 27-27 tie. One of the finest kickers to come out of Bucks County who eventually would be “practically automatic”, freshman Kevin Kelly won the game with the PAT 28-27 Neshaminy.

And that was some idea of how this season would go, although of course, no one knew it as yet. A teacher’s strike at Bensalem High School in 2001 gave the Redskins their second victory without working up a sweat. The Owls were frustrated with a 1-10 season in 2001; and if the game had been played it might not have been pretty. But there is no resolution to what never happened.

For the first time in 2001 the Redskins had to don away whites for the trip to Perkasie and Poppy Yoder Field and the talented Pennridge Rams the next week. The Rams had opened with a loss to Carlsbad, California at home and beat North Penn and were at 1-1. They had a fine backfield with Hollenbach at QB, and Stephenson and Ryan Greiser running backs, the latter would set some records at Pennridge. Stephenson ran for a 4-yard score (T. Greiser kick), and a 2 yard score (Hollenbach run PAT); before Brittingham got a 2-yard TD and Kelly kick to find the Skins down at the half again 15-7. In the third quarter Jamar got another 2-yard TD, and Wiater again hit Donahue for a 2-point PAT and it was 15-15 at the end of three. But Ryan Greiser got a fourth quarter TD of 6 yards and T. Greiser kicked the PAT to put the Rams up 22-15. Then Jamar Brittingham was helped off the field with some hamstring soreness and the Redskin faithful had their hearts in their throats. But he soon returned and bolted 53 yards and with the Kelly PAT it was tied at 22 with over 7 minutes left in the game. With only 51 seconds left in the game, Brittingham again scored his fourth TD in a game to make it 28-22.   Kevin Kelly’s attempted PAT was blocked. Final score 28-22 Skins.

The following week the North Penn Knights came to Heartbreak Ridge. Mike Pettine Junior was in his last season at North Penn and he had made the Knights a dangerous foe. I decided it was time to see this Neshaminy edition and took this one in. Neshaminy drew first blood with a first quarter Brittingham 3-yard run and Kelly kick, 7-0 after one. In the second quarter the Knights’ answered with a Thomas 20-yard run and Mancino PAT to knot it at 7.

The next score was Kevin Kelly’s initial Field Goal, for 27 yards; 10-7 Skins. North Penn answered with a 68-yard TD pass hookup from Spurio to Zebluim, and PAT; 14-10 Knights.  But Brittingham got his 10^th TD of the season, this one 6 yards; Kelly PAT 17-14 Neshaminy. Then Neshaminy’s Chuck Koch recovered a Knights’ fumbled punt at their 20 yard line. This time the first TD this season not by Brittingham ensued when Jay Collins plunged one yard to pay dirt. The PAT was no good, and the first half ended 23-14 Redskins. The second half turned defensive, especially for the Skins who with Erik Pederson, Geoff Donahue, and Jay Collins repeatedly hammer the Knight’s QBs in the second half. However the Skins also did not score and the first half was the game at 23-14 Neshaminy to go to 4-0 on the season.

On Friday night, September 28, 2001 it was time for the Bucks’ of CB West to visit the Ridge. I had seen the Bucks opener against nationally-ranked St. Joes Prep of the Philadelphia Catholic League with star RB Kyle Ambrogi. In a surprise to me, the Bucks upset the Hawks with a late TD pass 21-17. They were 3-1 coming in with a loss to North Penn 20-7. As the team of the nineties with a record of 121-8 it was no surprise that the Skins had not beaten the Bucks since 1989; 27-13 when Mike Frederick was all state for Neshaminy under John Chaump. I had to take this one in. I was not disappointed.

After a scoreless first quarter, Neshaminy scored three times in the second period – Donahue 1 yard run; Brittingham 12 yard run. Kelly missed both PATs, but then kicked a 31-yard FG, go figure. Halftime had the Skins up 15-0, a rare spot this season. The only third quarter score was a 2-yard run by CBW back Kniesc with a failed pass PAT, and it was 15-6 Skins after three quarters. But in the fourth quarter, Kniesc scored again from 7 yards out and Wilberly kicked the PAT and it was only 15-13 Skins.   With only 1:57 left in the game, West’s Lepley got in from a yard out and the pass attempted PAT was missed and it was 19-15 CB West. Neshaminy received the kickoff and started from their 30. Skins QB Wiater then lobbed a soft floater to WR Mike Loveland who raced all the way to the West 5-yard line. The CB West defense then rose to the task and shut down three running attempts to reach the end zone. On 4^th down from the 4, a calm Wiater fakes a handoff to Brittingham, rolls left, checks off of Ennis, and hits Scott Mullin between the numbers for the winning TD with no time left on the clock, 21-19 Neshaminy, no PAT attempted.

I am sure that inside the inner circle of the Neshaminy faithful confidence was high for the season; but honestly, as an outsider, it seemed if the Skins were living on the edge. They were a valid enough 5-0; but it was far from easy, and the margins were slim. Discounting the Bensalem forfeit, the Skins had scored exactly 100 points for 25 per game average, while allowing 82 for a 20.5 defensive average. They had to come from behind three of the four games played. Whew!?!?

But the Skins had my attention and the following Saturday they had a day date with the Patriots of CB East at War Memorial Field in Doylestown. I journeyed up, and things weren’t much different!

East had a nice club in 2001 and came in to the fray 4-1. A good QB in Felicetti and a stiff defense were the Patriots features. The Pats defense kept the Neshaminy O in check for three quarters and on a first quarter Felicetti run (Mattern kick) and third quarter 35-yard pass Felicetti to Islinger (Mattern kick), the Patriots led the Skins 14-0. In the fourth quarter, Mr. Brittingham took it in from 11 yards out (Kelly kick) to close it to 14-7. Then Jamar capped a 13-play, 86 yard drive with a 2-yard run to pull to 14-13. There was only 29 seconds left in the game. Coach Schmidt calls for two, opting for a win or loss rather than OT. QB Wiater reads blitz; fakes a hand off to Brittingham and quickly hits 225-pound FB Geoff Donahue for the winning points; final after kick off and some D, 15-14 Neshaminy.

The Redskins finally got some breathing room in two of the next three contests. Next up was Harry S. Truman, this year sporting a 4-2 record in the last year under Coach Galen Snyder before moving to his alma mater Pennsbury to coach. This game was usually a mismatch due to a different level in the programs at the two schools. This time the Redskins put four scores on the board, on the ground and in the air to go up by a 26-0 count before the Tigers’ answered with a TD but missed pass PAT attempt to make the score 26-6 Skins at the half. Only one second half score was a Neshaminy Wiater to Donahue 5-yard pass and Kelly kick to make the final 33-6 Neshaminy.

The Skins were now 7-0 and while it hadn’t been easy some observations could be made. Certainly Brittingham was a dynamite running back, but the offensive line was also solid and QB Wiater was a fine field general, calm, and not without passing ability. The team was a run first O, but when needed, Wiater got the job done, being 43 for 78 for 466 yards at this point and picked only twice, one in each of the first two games. And Wiater had won two games with last ditch 2-point PAT throws. Of course, Brittingham was the teeth of the running attack and in the 7^th game the overlooked Skins D came to the forefront; limiting the Tigers to 79 yards rushing.

Abington away was the next Saturday. This was at the old day-only field some blocks from the Abington High School. Tim Sorber had just been made permanent head coach at Abington after one year as interim head man. The Ghosts were just building, but Neshaminy-Abington had many interesting meetings in the past. Past scores of 8-7 (1988), 18-15 (1990), 17-13 (1992), 21-20 (1993), and incredibly 69-36 (1997) indicate some of the battles the Ghosts and Skins had over the years. And this game was for three quarters, no different. After one it was 7-7, at the half it was 14-13 Skins. After three it was 21-21. But the Skins exploded for three fourth quarter TDs to put this one away 42-21 and it secured a berth in the playoffs for the Redskins at 8-0 on the season.

Brittingham had 35 carries for 315 yards and three TDs. Donahue had 8 carries for 53 yards and two TDs. Ennis made the most of one carry for 19 yards and a TD. Wiater hit Ennis, Brittingham, and Mullin in 7 of 13 attempts for 79 yards when needed. There were two interceptions, the first since the second game of the season.

It was back to the Ridge for Council Rock next Friday night. The big rivalry for Rock was the Pennsbury Falcons, but the Rock and Neshaminy School Districts abut also, and this was a natural rivalry sparked by the fact that the Skins were only 3-8 versus Rock the prior 11 seasons. This was the last season of one Council Rock before it became Council Rock North and Rock South opened for the 2002 season.  I had been away from the Skins for three weeks and returned to take this one in on a very cold, windy night. This time the Neshaminy club looked what I termed “typical”. The defense held the Indians to 47 yards rushing for the game. Mr. B rushed 24 times for 169 yards and 3 TDs. QB Jay Wiater connected with four different receivers for 8 of 15 and 150 yards. The final was 35-0, and Donahue and Collins had the other two TDs. The victory clinched the Suburban One National Championship for Neshaminy.

As normal for many seasons, the arch rival Pennsbury Falcons was the last regular season game for the Skins. Big rivalry, big game, and many seasons it was for league, or conference supremacy. I had seen many of them, but by 2001 in my 51^st season of high school football, I was shying away from the “big crowd” games generally; with exceptions. I did not take this one in this year. The Skins would be favored this year at 9-0 over an unusual 4-5 Falcon squad coming in. But Falcon Field had been very unkind to the Redskins; and 7,000 fans did venture to see the backyard brawl. A Donahue 18 yard run and Kelly PAT gave the Redskins a 7-0 lead at the quarter. In the second Kelly added a 37-yard FG to make it 10-0. The Falcons answered with a Cordero one-yard plunge and Onal PAT to close to 10-7. Before the half Brittingham bolted for 39 yards and a TD; Kelly PAT 17-7 Skins. Still before halftime Kevin Kelly booted a 54-yard FG to make it 20-7 Neshaminy at the half. Kelly’s kick tied the record for the longest FG in lower Bucks County with that of Pennsbury’s Mike Augustin in 1980.

In the third period Jamar Brittingham had a 5-yard TD run, 26-7 Skins. The Redskins tried a pass for a 2-pt PAT, but it did not connect. The Falcons made it interesting in the fourth quarter. Falcon RB Cordero went 25 yards for a score and then QB Speer hit Applebaum for the 2-pt conversion, and it was 26-15. Later Speer got in from the one and it was 26-21. A two-point conversion would bring the Falcons within a FG of tying, so it was a natural to go for two. But the run was stopped and the score remained 26-21 to the final whistle. The Neshaminy Redskins had achieved their first unbeaten regular season since 1988, the first year of state championship play. And home field advantage for the districts would go to the Skins.

First round (quarter-final) would be familiar Central Bucks East, who the Skins barely beat 15-14 in week six. It would be the Skins first playoff appearance in 13 years.

Taking no chances on depending on another two-point conversion to win, the fired up Skins scored on its first three possessions (2 TDs, Kelly 33-yard FG) and had no turnovers. Meanwhile the Patriots scored once in that sequence and the halftime score was Neshaminy 17-7. In the third quarter Keith Ennis had a 71-yard run for Neshaminy and it was 24-7 after three. The Pats managed a fourth quarter TD and PAT but it ended 24-14 Skins, giving Neshaminy their first ever playoff victory, and lower Bucks County’s first ever playoff victory. Neshaminy earned a semi-final meeting with Downingtown, no stranger to championship play.

As with Council Rock, this was the Downingtown Whippets, still one school before Downingtown East would open in 2003. The Whippets had two state championship appearances to their credit, settling for silver in 1994, but bringing home gold in 1996. The Whippets came in 9-2 with two losses to strong non-league teams and a very beefy 87 players including two Division One line prospects. I had seen them before, and thought this would be a real test. It was a cool, pleasant evening for playoff football, and I had to see this one.

Kevin Kelly opened scoring with a 40-yard field goal; 3-0 Skins. It was becoming apparent that Kelly, a freshman (the roster says sophomore), was already becoming a factor for the Skins. Besides the field goals, Kelly’s PATs were solid and kickoffs long and deep. Next Wiater hit Ennis for a beautiful 69-yard TD and Kelly PAT and it was 10-0 Redskins. But Downingtown answered with a Helm 2-yard run and Hughes PAT to narrow it to 10-7. Before the first quarter ended, Jay Collins went in from the two; the PAT was missed, and it was 16-7 Neshaminy at the end of one. There was no second quarter scoring and the score remained for the half. In the third, Collins went in from the one, and then Wiater hit Donahue for the 2-point PAT and it was temporarily 24-7. But a Downingtown drive led to a 1-yard Helm TD and Hughes PAT to make it 24-14 after three. The teams traded drives and short plunges again in the fourth making it 30-20 as both teams’ PAT tries failed. Then Mr. Brittingham bolted 57 yards with 3:56 left in the game to seal the Whippets fate this night. Kelly converted and it was 37-20, and Neshaminy would play for the District One title.

The second consecutive game with no turnovers greatly helped the Skins as the Whippets proved capable with the ball. They had 22 first downs to Neshaminy’s 14, more passing yards and were within 31 yards of the Skins rushing total.  But a fumble lost and 2 picks revealed the truth that turnovers are costly; and were to the Whippets.

The buzz among my posse of football faithful was that the Skins should be able to handle the Pioneers of Conestoga for the District One Championship. I do not know why this thought prevailed, the Pioneers were 11-1 with their only loss a regular season loss to still powerful Strath Haven, and I just hoped the locals could do it. But I was going to see it for sure; I had never seen Conestoga play before. I was making exceptions weekly to my “big crowd” aversions now.

My friends seemed to be correct as Neshaminy took control of this one early and built up a 28-0 lead by the fourth quarter. QB Waiter went 4 for 4 passing in a first quarter drive, culminating in a 16-yard TD pass to Mark Beck for the first TD of the game. Kelly would be a perfect 4 for 4 on PATs this night. In the second stanza, Brittingham ran one in from a yard out and also threw an option pass for 39 yards to Ennis for a score and it was 21-0 Neshaminy at the half. After a scoreless third quarter, a short buck by Collins and Kelly PAT put it far out of reach for the Pioneers, but they did not quit. Conestoga was not one-dimensional, but the Skins throttled their running game, limiting them to 36 yards rushing. They went to the air for two late scores and tried two 2-pt PATS, missing both to make the final score Neshaminy 28-12. Neshaminy played turnover-free ball for the third consecutive game, a formula for success, and the Redskins’ first-ever District One Championship.

The Redskins would meet another storied program, Cumberland Valley of District 3 or Bethlehem Catholic of District 11; in the Eastern PA final the following Saturday. A buddy of mine and I had arranged to go to Hershey the day after the Neshaminy-Conestoga game to see Cumberland Valley and Bethlehem Catholic (then 4A) square off, sort of scouting who would be Neshaminy’s next opponent. A great offensive shootout occurred and the final was 41-31 Cumberland Valley.

A trio of posse, including me, went back to Hershey for the Neshaminy-CV encounter the next Saturday. After witnessing their victory over Bechi the prior week, and knowing the various conundrums the Skins faced early in the season; we were not as confident as we were hopeful for a Redskin win this day. I had seen CV five times before and this included their state title year of 1992. Win or lose they were impressive, and always in every game.

This turned out to be one of my “best games ever” ratings. It was a game of two different halves, and the first was a disaster for the Redskins. They kicked off and stopped the first CV drive and then drove to the CV 15- yard line. But the first turnover in four games, a pick stopped the drive. The Eagles of CV were relentless on the ground and two long ball-possession drives in the first half made the score 12-0 Cumberland Valley at the half. There was reason to worry. Among our three, we repeated the old cliché that the Redskins had to score after getting the opening kickoff of the second half and then shut the Eagles’ down. And this they did, and it was 12-7 Eagles. Then the Skins put on another third quarter drive leading to a short Brittingham TD and the third missed PAT by both teams made it 13-12 Neshaminy after three quarters. In the fourth quarter the Skins Loveland returned a blocked CV punt 19 yards for a TD, making it 19-12 Neshaminy. Cumberland Valley then roared back with a short drive capped by a 41-yard inside reverse and this time a PAT kick was good and the score was knotted at 19 all. A little over 6 minutes remained in the game.

Keith Ennis almost broke the ensuing kickoff, returning it to the Eagles’ 20-yard line. A short-field drive was culminated by a late Brittingham scamper and a two-point PAT try failed, making the score 25-19 late, but with time enough for this CV team. And they demonstrated a nice two-minute drive that looked as if it would be successful until with 1:27 left in the game, on a pass completion Neshaminy safety Devon Swope pried the ball loose and Neshaminy recovered. The Redskins then successfully ran out the clock. They would play for a state championship.

I had attended games at Hershey many times including twice this season, but beastly rain and cold prevented me from seeing my first ever state championship. I rectified this in 2002 and 2004 (Neshaminy again) and have not been there since.

Despite matching 14-0 records, Neshaminy would get the underdog role at states for a matchup with the WPIAL’s powerful Woodland Hills. Unlike the hold your breath schedule the Redskins played, the Wolverines danced through western PA football handily, only tested once, a 31-28 regular season win over equally powerful Pittsburgh Central Catholic. The Wolverines’ boasted one Steve Breaston, a wide receiver, kick returner who was destined for the NFL, and is still at Kansas City as far as I know. Ryan Munday, another future NFL player was also on the Wolverines squad.

But this Neshaminy team was not to be denied. Opponents blamed the terrible rain and mud, but both teams played under the same conditions as is always the case. Neshaminy opened scoring in the first with a Collins 3-yard run. Eschewing the kick due to the weather, a 2-point pass PAT attempt did not connect and it was 6-0 Skins. In the second quarter Mr. Breaston had a one yard run and they kicked the PAT and it was 7-6 Woody High at the half. But in the third quarter Brittingham got in from the four and Wiater hit Mullin with the 2-point PAT and it was 14-7 Neshaminy. Then late in the fourth quarter, Jamar Brittingham got loose for 45 yards; Kelly kicked the PAT and at 21-7, despite the rain and mud Hershey never smelled so sweet.

Besides the obvious running of Jamar Brittingham, despite the conditions, Wiater threw the ball 12 times with 10 completions and 181 yards in key situations. The Skins played turnover-free ball again while picking off two Wolverine passes. Brittingham, Collins, Donahue, Ennis, and Wiater all ran the ball, and the first four named plus Mullin were on the receiving end of passes from Wiater. And per usual, little is said of the defense that shut down a powerful team and made a big fourth quarter stand on a fourth and two situation. LB Pat Carroll led the D with 14 tackles. This is an example of the balance and efficiency that this team played with in annexing a state championship.

RivalsHigh25, a prestigious high school football rating organization, on their December 24 final 2001 ratings placed this Neshaminy team as number 9 in the nation!

Various Pennsylvania football News class 4A all-state positions were attained by Neshaminy’s Jamar Brittingham (1^st team RB); Steve Brett (2^nd team O line); and defensively LB’s Chuck Koch (2^nd team) and Jay Collins (3^rd team). Woodland Hills’ Steve Breaston, Kareem Dutrieulle, Ryan Munday, and Larry Connelly were also all-state selections.

More than anything, as someone from the outside, I saw this team as truly a “guts and glory” organization. They possessed a fine head coach and very capable and experienced coaching staff and followed a tradition that started in 1952, my second year of high school football. The season proved how good players they were, but they were no so heralded at the season’s beginning. This was truly a “team”. Every facet that makes a good team developed in sun, heat, and sweat; and cold, chills and rain and mud. Tenacity and proficiency ruled the day. Of all the state champions I have seen play in person and on TV, this one seems to be a very special breed. I love high school football and follow many teams; I missed all too many great teams over the years, but I am certainly glad that I got to see this Neshaminy team 7 times in person.

Much of this article is from the fine Neshaminy homepage and used by permission.

Archbishop Wood (12) vs. Bishop McDevitt

The high-school football documentary The Last Game depicts one season of one of the best teams in Pennsylvania, Central Bucks West. Led by star running back Dustin Picciotti and coach Mike Pettine Sr., the team attempts to continue a winning streak that has been maintained through the previous two seasons. The biggest threat they face on their run to yet another state championship is a team coached by Mike Pettine Jr.

There may be thousands of high school football teams in America, but the story of CB West is one in a million. In the end, The Last Game is about a man who faces so much drama, triumph and turmoil that it will force him to make a major decision to the delight of some and the dismay of others.

The great influx of population into lower Bucks County from 1950 to 1960 occasioned by the construction of the Fairless Steel plant in Falls Township fueled tremendous growth in local area school systems. The greatest growth was seen in the Pennsbury, Neshaminy, and Bristol Township School Districts. While Pennsbury and Neshaminy did not immediately establish another sport-playing high school (Neshaminy did much later in 1975); it was not so in Bristol Township.

Delhaas High School was only established in 1951 in Bristol Township, and I believe prior to that the Township students went to Bristol High School, but I am not certain. But, population growth by 1959 called for a second Bristol Township High School and this was Woodrow Wilson High School. They were the Golden Rams and their official colors were gray and gold. If you know where Harry S. Truman High School is today, you know where Wilson was. It is the same school, but now greatly renovated, as is the stadium at the same location.

Wilson existed 1959 through 1980 and it was the most successful football program of the three Bristol Township public schools – Delhaas-Wilson-Truman. Delhaas in 23 years of existence was .290 in football; Truman is .246 for 1981 through 2012; while Wilson in its 22 seasons had a .468 winning average. Although short of .500 overall, the Rams, as their nickname was commonly shortened to, had some good teams.

I did not see the Rams all that often, 11 times in their 22 seasons. After graduating high school in 1959, I began to follow Neshaminy as they were starting to be recognized state-wide for the first time and they were a local power for certain. I saw the Redskins’ first 8 of 11 games and the 6^th one was home against Woodrow Wilson. The two teams’ shared one thing in common, they both then ran out of the single-wing offense. They were the only two local schools to do so; all the others were T-formation teams. The Rams had only played two games to the Skins five, and were 0-2 coming in. Their first year they only had an 8-game schedule of all of the local Lower Bucks County League (LBCL) schools – Tennent, Bristol, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, Bensalem, Council Rock, Morrisville, and Delhaas. All were league games; the LBCL was now a 9-team league. Richard Northrup was the first Rams’ Head Coach.

While Neshaminy was the clear favorite then, and they won this game 59-0, Pennsbury was growing (8-3) this season; but otherwise anybody could beat anybody on a given night. Wilson went 1-7 their first time out, with their only win being a 33-19 win over Council Rock. But Rock beat Bristol and Tennent; Tennent beat Bristol and Delhaas, but Delhaas had 5 wins; and Morrisville was 8-1, only losing to Neshaminy. That’s the way it was in the late fifties, most teams could win any game, except maybe against Neshaminy.

With a big 11-game schedule in 1960, the Golden Rams were only 1-9-1; again beating Council Rock, and getting a tie with Bristol 6-6. Oddly, I saw both the win and the tie, and that was all.

Lou Sorrentino became the new head coach in 1961 which was the first year of a big-school and small-school split of the LBCL into two sections. The big school section was Neshaminy, Pennsbury, Wilson, and Tennent. The Rams improved to 3-7-1 but their three wins and tie were to small-school cross-division foes Morrisville, Delhaas, Bristol, and (tie) Bensalem.

In 1962 the Rams were 3-6 but their first two losses were forfeits (unexplained in my notes) to Bristol and Bensalem, smaller schools they might have had a shot at. I saw the Thanksgiving Rams-Bishop Egan game that season, won by Egan 47-14.

The Wilson Rams turned the corner in 1963 and posted a fine 8-2 season. They had a great end in Gary Steele, who went on to play at Army, and a fine back in Paul Horwatt. On April 10, 2014 Paul was inducted into the Bucks County Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame (football & basketball); as was Mike Carey (football), another name we are familiar with; but with no connection to Wilson.  Two future head coaches were on the Wilson staff, Walt Snyder who became legend at Council Rock and whose name is on that stadium today, and Pat Picarello who would coach at Wilson. I saw the Rams-Pennsbury game at Falcon Field won by Wilson 14-7. I saw the Neshaminy game at Neshaminy won by the Skins 20-6. And I saw the Morrisville game at Wilson won by Wilson 53-0. Wilson won both offensive 34.5 ppg, and defensive 7.6 ppg honors among the ten teams I then tracked. This would be the top offensive average in school history, but the defense had one year a bit better much later on.

The Rams were again 8-2 in 1964 and were only beaten by Pennsbury (9-1) and Neshaminy (9-0-1). The Falcons potent offense that year beat the Rams 45-14, but the Neshaminy loss was only 9-2.

In 1965 the Rams again only had two losses, but they had three ties, to end 5-2-3. One tie was with Pennsbury 0-0. Their losses were to Bishop Egan and Neshaminy.

The 1966 Rams gained the satisfaction of a tie for the Section I title with Pennsbury at 2-0-1 league. Both Pennsbury and Wilson ended 8-1-1; both beat Neshaminy and Tennent league and tied each other 14-14. Pennsbury lost to Allentown Allen 20-13 and Wilson’s only loss was to one of the great Egan (12-1) teams 9-0. Wilson also had wins over Allentown Dieruff, Salesianum, DE, and Chambersburg this season, so had upgraded to a major schedule.

Both 1967 (3-7-1) and 1968 (3-6-1) were down for Wilson, but opponents on their schedule included J. F. Kennedy of New Jersey, Allentown Dieruff, Chambersburg, Ridley, and Harrisburg John Harris; along with local Bishop Egan in their best era ever, so the Rams were in high level competition.

Coatesville, Johnstown, and Hazleton made the 1969 Wilson schedule. The Rams finished 5-5, losing to Coatesville 16-12, Johnstown 19-14, and beating Hazleton 30-20.

The 1970 Rams posted the best record in school history and first 9-win season at 9-1-1. They had a dynamic offense through their non-league first 7 games. They opened at home beating Archbishop Wood 49-0. Out at Coatesville the Rams won 48-0. They had to go up to Wyoming Valley in District 2 next. They managed a win over Wyoming Valley West, 28-14. Johnstown was entertained at home in a game I heard on radio won by the Rams 43-14. Abington was handled out there 44-14. Next, at William Tennent the Rams went over 40 points for the fifth time in six games winning 42-6. This cascade of scoring had me interested, but I could not get to games in this era and I listened to their last five games on the radio. They hosted J. F. K. and won 33-22.  They might have been a favorite at Neshaminy this year as they were 7-0 with all that offense, while Neshaminy was 6-1 and not scoring as much as the Rams. Nevertheless, the Redskins had the top defense around, and won the game 17-6 really shutting down the Rams high-powered offense. They next hosted Pennsbury and only scored 7 points. But they shut out the Falcons and won 7-0. Bensalem was handled 28-6, and then against Bishop Egan the Rams could only manage a tie 14-14.

The Rams then settled into a low period of five seasons 1971 through 1975 without winning records. I was in my lean years for high school football all of this time and did not see any of them. In 1976 I was able to return to high school football and I saw the 1976 Rams twice. They went 8-2, losing only to Norristown 20-12, and Council Rock 16-15. I saw them beat Harrisburg 42-14 and Neshaminy Langhorne 27-6. The 1975-1982 seasons were the split Neshaminy School District with two schools, Neshaminy Langhorne (the original), and Neshaminy Maple Point. The single league loss to Council Rock cost the Rams the title as Rock was undefeated in the league in 1976.

The bottom dropped out for the 1977 Rams and they went to 2-8, their worst record since their second year of existence in 1960 at 1-9-1. I saw a 12-6 loss to Norristown in their second game of the season. After 5-6 (1978) and 5-5 (1979) seasons, the Rams, along with sister township school Delhaas, both faced their final season in 1980, knowing they were history after that.

By the record and scores at each school, it appears that they took an entirely different approach to their school closing. But, it was probably because that other than the seniors, all the Wilson students would be at the same school in 1981 and just calling it another name (Truman), whereas the Delhaas students would be losing their school forever.

The Delhaas Tigers posted the worst year in the history of their school for the last. They were 0-11-0 for the first time ever; and their scores were 0-49, 0-20, 6-27, 0-47, 0-34, 0-49, 0-28, 0-57, 8-34, 0-29, and finally 0-48 against Wilson. They scored only 14 points in 11 games for 1.3 ppg, while yielding 422 points for 38.4 ppg.

Wilson went the other way in their final season and gave it an all-out effort. They tied their most wins in a season at 9, and went 9-4 and were just defeated for the league championship in a playoff game with Pennsbury 13-10 in double overtime. They were somewhat lacking in offense scoring 12.5 ppg, but made up for it with a defense only yielding 6.9 ppg; the best D in the school’s history. They shut out 4 opponents and held 3 others to a single score. The most they yielded in a single game was in a 20-0 loss to Norristown.

Several years ago in a cleaning mode I gave away stacks of old game programs; but kept a lesser stack of chosen ones. I did not know I would ever be writing articles about my viewing history, and lament the fact I disposed of perhaps a hundred or more programs. They would have been handy to add names and thus additional interest to these narratives.

Central Bucks East was opened in 1969 in Holicong, PA, a rural setting, as the second Central Bucks School District High School.

At that time coach Mike Pettine was in his third season at what then became Central Bucks West in Doylestown. Prior to 1969 the Doylestown school was Central Bucks High School. I did not start following either of these schools until 1988, and cannot pretend to know the earlier coaches, records, and politics involved.

But I can imagine that after a few years, and as Mike Pettine established the powerhouse that West became; there had to be a “shadow effect” of East playing in the background of West, at least in football. I heard at one time that students had a choice of schools to attend in the district, but I never knew if this actually existed or was pure chatter. If it did exist, each sport could attract athletes interested to either West or East for a particular sport. Perhaps a reader can comment and get this clarified.

Be this as it may, over at CB West Mike had opened in 1967 with an undefeated 9-0-1 season and then had a so-so 6-4 season in 1968; in 1969 when East opened, The Pettine Bucks went 5-5, a break even tour and the closest to a losing season Mike Pettine would ever have. Was that a result of the split and departure of talent? I do not know the answer, but we know the story of Mike Pettine after that.

After 10 consecutive losses to the Bucks, the CB East Patriots finally turned the tables on West and won the 1979 tilt 19-7. At least part of the reason was running back Joe Kozak who was All-state for East; and certainly Scott Stancavage (or Stankavage) QB and DB who was also All-state and went on to careers at North Carolina and a brief NFL stint with Denver and Miami.

In 1983 the Pats again edged the Bucks 7-6. All-state End Bob Tait might have been part of the reason, but the Bucks had an All-stater of their own, none other than Mike Pettine, Jr. who made first team as a D back.

The first year of the state championship playoffs in 1988, the Patriots tied the Bucks 14-14 on Thanksgiving at Del Val College. This tie cost the Bucks the first appearance of a local team in state playoffs. They were unbeaten for 54 consecutive games at that point, but at 10-0-1, Neshaminy went to the playoffs at 11-0.

Then the Patriots endured another string of losses to the Bucks’ until our year of 1996. By 1996 the Patriots were 2-25-1 against their sister school.

The late Larry Green had coached at Pennsbury 1992-1995, and was back at C B East for 1996. Our pre-season practice visit gang messed up the schedule this year and school was already in session when we hit the fields; so I did not make the usual pre-season visit notes. The Pats were coming off of a nice 7-3 campaign in 1995.

I made a solo trip for the season opener in Doylestown for Monsignor Bonner at CB East on Friday August 30, 1996. I had only seen the Friars once before, in 1976. CB East won the contest 35-7 and I noted in my notes that I thought they looked “special”; Ficzko, Moosbrugger, Mitchell, Scott, and QB Borstein all were mentioned. I now rue that I stopped buying programs and indeed got rid of many in later years due to having so many. I did not know I would someday be recounting these games for posterity.

The next week down at Harry S. Truman the Patriots manhandled the Tigers, 55-12 in a game I did not attend. I went to Doylestown for Pennsbury and CB West. I braved the downpours from hurricane Fran, but no other crew members wished to be out this night.

Thursday night September 12 the Falcons of Pennsbury came to Doylestown again, this time for C B East, and I was interested in that one. Although the Falcons were 0-2, their losses were to Parkland (13-2) and C B West (10-1) both of which I saw; so I expected maybe a close contest against East. I noted that East looked flat tonight and had 4 lost fumbles and the offense was inconsistent when not fumbling. But, the Patriots did score first and took a 7-0 lead. But then both defenses tightened and during the course of the game the Falcons converted three field goals to get and hold the lead 9-7 with about 3 and ½ minutes left in the game. At that point C B East had the ball and was faced with a fourth and nine situation. The Patriots came through and scored on a 27-yard pass TD; with PAT, final 14-9 Patriots. Maybe my “special” notation for game one was going to be accurate.

Council Rock (then still one school) still played Saturday afternoons in those days, and I opted for C B East’s invasion on September 21. My Hatfield buddy and his wife and I had caught Neshaminy at C B West the Friday night before (20^th) and witnessed a 35-8 West victory. My buddy on Saturday traveled down from Hatfield to Rock, this time sans wife, for this contest.   In one of those coincidences that I love to note, the exact same score of the night before 35-8, occurred; C B East winning. I only noted that “East’s massive line dominated both sides of the ball and their running attack looked brutal. East and West are drawing step by step to a November showdown.” They were even posting identical scores!

The next Friday I opted for Crawford Stadium and West-North Penn over The Patriots hosting of Abington. West won 27-0; and guess what the score of the East win over Abington was? Well,—– close 26-0. It was getting eerie.

I again followed CB West to Bensalem the next Friday night while East was scheduled to be away at Norristown Saturday night.

Both West and East won again (the East game was played Monday night); with a little break in the matching score department. West won 41-0 and East won 31-8. Both CB East and CB West now stood at 6-0.

Due to the schedules I was then able to see the last 5 C B East games, and after missing the next West game; the last 4 C B West games.

North Penn was C B East’s next game, originally scheduled for Friday 10/11, but played Saturday night 10/12. This might have been an accommodation for East playing the prior Monday night. I was solo this trip and only made a note that the Pats’ used five long runs (4 by Andy Ficzko) to handle the Knights 42-17.

After a Saturday night rainout, I soloed again to my first ever Sunday public school game on October 20th in Doylestown for Bensalem at C B East. The crowd was very slim and I noted it gave me some social time speaking with Tom Adams Sr. a Bensalem Hall-of-Famer, and Bensalem AD Bob Hart and coach Ron Buckley. I also spoke with East coaches Larry Green and Bill Heller and Larry promptly asked me, “Where’s —–?” (My Hatfield buddy). Coach Buckley told me that fully 15 Bensalem players did not make the Saturday night-Sunday switch, and star running back Alex Houston came late. I also spoke to CB West star running back Dave Armstrong in the stands. I made no game notes, and it was probably pretty pat; CB East 42-14.

My old Bensalem buddy, who didn’t make the Sunday contest but also followed Neshaminy as well, and I met in Doylestown the next Friday night for the Skins and C B East. The Patriots won 33-12 and were now rated high in the state class 4A state rankings (I noted 4^th to 7^th. There must have been more than one poll referenced).

The stage was now set for the CB East – CB West match between two teams sporting identical 9-0-0 records. Their respective averages coming in to the game were on offense – CB West 37.9 and CB East 34.8. Defensively it was CB West 6.7 and CB East 9.7. An anticipated crowd of perhaps 20,000 was hyped as the game drew attention for a battle of unbeatens, the league championship, intense rivalry, playoff position, homecoming, and state rankings. My Lambertville buddy was instrumental into talking me out of my thoughts about the futility of even trying to get in to this one. He and I went up to Doylestown at 4:30 in the afternoon to see what we could do. The traditional pre-game parade was just winding up and we parked about our normal spot, solving problem number one. A line had already formed at the ticket booths for SRO tickets and we became about 14^th in line; not so bad. War Memorial Field definitely would not have held 20,000 per pre-game hype, and the usual, possibly 8,000 or greater crowd filled the stadium to capacity.

In the end it was the Bucks’ once again that won 21-3 in a very workmanlike effort, capitalizing on mistakes and battering the good East defense with Dave Armstrong.

Both East and West made the playoffs and due to a storm the next Friday night played a day-night doubleheader on Saturday November 8 in Doylestown.

The day game was the Downingtown Whippets at CB East. The Whippets had lost their opener to Allentown Central Catholic 42-25; their only setback. A physical see-saw battle ensued, a very good game. The margin of victory was two pick-sixes by Whippet’s stars Dan Ellis and Arlen Harris, leading to a 37-25 Downingtown victory, and ending one of the Patriots best seasons ever. Lineman Josh Mitchell, 6-5, 280 was first team All-state and went on to Penn State.

Only in 2005 when the Patriots posted a 10-2 season, was this 1996 year eclipsed, at least in record.

The Bucks were also beaten in the nightcap by Plymouth-Whitemarsh 21-16.

The third Central Bucks High School, Central Bucks South was opened in 2004. Word on the street was that this would hurt C B East the greatest in draining sports talent; and it appears that at least in football it has come to pass. The Patriots have had only two winning seasons in the last 10 that the CB South Titans have existed.

I can only imagine if there was only one Central Bucks High School. Based on PIAA 2014-15 football enrollment figures it would be 2538 and the largest high school in the state.

1958 Easton Red Rovers

by Hal Wilson

The Easton Red Rovers have had many outstanding teams in the past 100 or so years. The very best at the Forks of the Delaware may have been the great 1958 edition of the Rovers. This team marched through a difficult nine game schedule, climaxing a marvelous season with a stunning 26-6 comeback victory over equally unbeaten and untied cross-river rival, Philipsburg, New Jersey.

Easton was led by a stellar veteran backfield – where fullback Pete Americus and halfback Bill Houston were starting for a fourth year, and quarterback Terry Bartolet for a third season. Another veteran, junior halfback Charles Weaver, brought more speed to a fast and deceptive set of running backs. At the end of the 1958 season, Americus had amassed four-year totals of 2,296 rushing yards, averaging an amazing 8.1 yards per carry, and 213 points. Houston had averaged 7.9 and run for 2,237 yards. He had scored a total of 151 points for the Rovers in his three years in the starting offensive backfield.

Bartolet brought great all-around play with his ball-handling, passing and option ability.
His leadership, as co-captain with Americus, was crucial to the Red Rover success.

The Greek-born Americus was a unanimous choice on the 1958 All-State first team, while Houston made the second unit. Americus was actually considered a better defender than ball carrier. He excelled at linebacker, while Houston was a stellar safety.

The offensive line included veteran starters as well. Hopes were high as the Rovers entered the 1958 season.

In the opener at Reading, Americus charged 38 yards to a touchdown on Easton’s first offensive play. Neighboring rival Wilson Borough was beaten 59-7 in the final game of a long-standing series. At Pottsville, the Rovers humiliated the home team, 63-0, as sub Dave Cooper scored three times in the final quarter.

Old Forge from the Scranton area brought an undefeated team to Cottingham Stadium. The Blue Devils went home, stung by their only defeat, 32-7. At Bethlehem’s Liberty Stadium before 15,000, Easton won decisively, 33-7, as Houston scored three times.

Easton had not beaten the Allentown Canaries at Cottingham since 1928 and, with the scored tied late in the fourth at 13, the perfect season appeared doomed and the frustrating string set to continue. Then, on a brilliant pass play with 51 seconds remaining, Bartolet hit Weaver in stride at the five for a 49 yard touchdown. Weaver intercepted a Canary pass on the game’s last play and Easton had won, 19-13. The standing-room-only home crowd celebrated.
The traditional Thanksgiving Day game at Lafayette’s Fisher Field matched two perfect record teams, Easton and Philipsburg. 20.000 jammed the arena as the Garnet of Philipsburg dominated the first half and led 6-0 at the break, The Rovers, playing without Americus, had only 21 rushing yards.

Easton then launched a brilliant second half rally. First, Bartolet completed a 20 yard pass to junior end John Aviantos for the initial Rover score to tie the game. Then in the final quarter, Bartolet led a 91 yard march, climaxed with a nine yard toss to Pat Torquati, subbing for Americus. Weaver dashed 56 and 28 yards for two more TD’s and the jubilant Red Rovers had prevailed.

For the game, Weaver had averaged 16 yards per carry, running for 175 yards. Bartolet was outstanding with his overall play and generalship. These two were considered the difference between the rival teams. The injured Americus was able to appear as a flanker in the final minutes.

Bob Rute was an Easton native and the All-State star halfback of the perfect record 10-0 1939 Red Rovers. He went on to play for Wallace Wade’s great Duke program. He was part of the undefeated, untied Duke 1941 team that played Oregon State in the Rose Bowl game at Durham, transplanted because of World War II concerns in California. After service in the U.S. Marines, he received his Duke degree and returned to Easton.

Rute joined the Easton staff as an assistant in the Fall of 1946, and also played for the professional Bethlehem Bulldogs. After two years as an assistant to Elmer Carroll and Frank O’Hora, he was appointed to the head job. He coached at Easton through the 1967 season. The winningest coach in Red Rover history, Rute’s teams won 138 games, lost 51, and played nine ties.

Rute was relentless in his approach to the game and his opponents. His teams were disciplined and well-conditioned. He was a man of few words – a “look” could convey the intended message. Easton ran primarily from the split T and belly series. Bartolet was trusted to call the plays himself, even using audibles when appropriate.

Rute’s punt return strategy was a special stength of his teams. Double receivers would criss-cross deceptively with a wall of blockers set up to send the man with the ball on his way.

Terry Bartolet says today that “ We had very talented athletes. Most of us played two or three sports. Our community had a unique spirit and will-to-win that inspired our athletic teams”.

The talented Red Rover starting offense:

E 51 John AVIANTOS 5-10 175
T 38 George HELLICK 6-2 195
G 42 Bob THOMAS 6-0 180
C 32 Barry PEARSON 5-11 165
G 48 Art NICHOLAS 6-0 195
T 45 Bob RENNER 6-2 205
E 21 Kirby KIICK 6-0 180
Q 30 Terry BARTOLET 6-0 175
H 35 Bill HOUSTON 6-0 185
H 22 Charles WEAVER 5-6 145
F 40 Pete AMERICUS 5-10 185

28 Dave COOPER was a valuable halfback, aiding when injuries sidelined a starter. 17 Pat TORQUATI was an able sub for Americus who struggled with injuries for part of the year.

The 1958 defensive lineup:

E 33 Joe MICKLEY 6-1 190
T 45 Bob RENNER 6-2 200
G 43 Ernie GUINTA 5-10 180
G 42 Bob THOMAS 6-0 180
T 44 Ray RISSMILLER 6-2 210
E 34 Fred MILLER 6-0 185
L 40 Pete AMERICUS 5-10 175
L 32 Barry PEARSON 5-11 165
H 25 Joe CREAZZO 5-11 165
H 23 Walt BRIGHT 6-1 185
S 35 Bill HOUSTON 6-0 185

37 Carl PISCATELLO spelled Americus at linebacker and kicked the conversions. 36 Bob FARBER and the veteran NICHOLAS logged significant time on the defensive line. 16 Felton GILBERT helped at both D-back and offensive end.
The 1958 perfect record:

20 READING 0
59 WILSON Borough 7
63 POTTSVILLE 0
55 PHILADELPHIA BOK VOCATIONAL 14
32 OLD FORGE 7
33 BETHLEHEM 7
19 ALLENTOWN 13
28 LEBANON 6
26 PHILIPSBURG, New Jersey 6

In Keystone State scholastic football in 1958, both Central Dauphin, in only its fourth year, and Kingston had perfect records. Playoffs, leading to a showdown with the formidable WPIAL AA champion Johnstown Trojans, would have been special.

Easton also fielded perfect record teams in 1917, 1919, 1923 and 1925 under the coaching of the legendary Pat Reilly. Reilly mentored the Red and White from 1912, just one year after his graduation from Easton High School, through 1930 when he was forced to give up the post under then-established PIAA rules. He had never been a school district employee.

Reilly’s brilliant overall record was 129 wins, 10 ties, and just 21 defeats. His teams went through 41 games without defeat – from mid 1921 until the third contest in 1925.

Ironically, Reilly passed away during the Fall of 1958.

Bartolet, who played both football and baseball at Harvard, is today a retired orthopedic surgeon. He is still very active, however, performing “locum tenens” services in areas of the country where orthopedic specialists are not available.

Houston, played at South Carolina State, helped coach Easton with Rute, and became a principal in the Easton Schools. He also was a member of the Easton City Council.

George Hellick faced Bartolet and Harvard, on the field for Dartmouth.

Sophomore Ray Rissmiller was an All-State first team tackle selection in 1960, an All-American at Georgia, and made it to the NFL.

Incidentally, Easton and Philipsburg will play for the 101th time in 2007.

One of the joys of high school football is analogous to a line from the movies when Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump says, “Life is like a box of chocolates…you never know what you’re gonna get.” It is not always the case, as upsets do not seem common anymore; and favorites usually come through, but you really are not sure of just what will play out when you attend a high school game. Of course, the same is true in most sports at all levels.

I like offense. Not runaways, but a lot of scoring where both teams seem to have a shot for the win throughout the game. I have also enjoyed defensive games as long as the non-scoring is based on the strong defenses, and not mistakes or penalties. And also as long as it is not just constantly three-and-outs; there must be some good offense as well. But overall I like scoring in games; crossing the goal line by run or pass just seems to be the apex of a game.

On Friday November 19, 2010 I journeyed to the closest stadium I visit at Council Rock North in Newtown, PA for a District One 4A quarter final playoff match between Central Bucks West and Council Rock South. The Golden Hawks of C R South were enjoying the best season in the school’s 9-season history to that point and made the playoffs for the first time. The Hawks were 10-1 with a sole loss to Abington 45-35 on their slate in a game I saw three weeks prior, and a great game. I also saw the Hawks beat Souderton 24-17 in the District One opening round at Rock North the prior week, November 12th. The Golden Hawks were averaging 30.6 points per game on offense, and allowing 11.7 on defense coming in to this game. The Hawks ran a very smooth triple-option ground-oriented offense. Vince Bedesem had been Head Coach at C R South since the school opened in 2002, and still is in 2014.

Central Bucks West was enjoying their best season since 2004 in their second year under Brian Hensel entering the game with a 9-2 record, having lost to Souderton 34-24 and North Penn 38-21 in a game I saw. The Bucks were averaging 34.5 points per game on offense and allowing 17.3 on defense coming in.  West’s multiple offense featured both running and passing.

Rock South received the opening kickoff, drove the length of the field and scored on a 1-yard plunge by Whitely. Rock’s fine kicker Solis then kicked the first of every PAT attempt that he would try.  West’s first possession resulted in a three-and-out and punt; the only punt this game would see. Rock then repeated their long drive routine with fine QB Billy Fleming capping it with a 2-yard plunge; with Solis PAT it was 14-0 Hawks at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter the West offense sprang to life and a 16-yard run by Poeske (PAY-ski); and an Edwards kicked PAT made it 14-7 Hawks. Then, on one of the rare miscues of the night, an errant pitchout by Fleming was recovered by the Bucks and they were back in business.

West’s star running back Rasheed Williams then galloped 28-yards, and with Edwards PAT it was knotted at 14.

Rock South responded with an aerial, Fleming to Gallo, 34 yards to retake the lead 21-14. Then C B West emulated the first two Rock possessions and put on a long drive with a 2-yard Udinski to Poeske pass capper; Edwards PAT; 21-all. The Hawks then put on another drive, this time in big run chunks, with Fleming keeping the final 4 yards; Solis remained perfect 28-21 Rock South. There would be no quit in either team this night. Featuring Williams runs, the Bucks again answered with Rasheed lugging the final 7 yards. Both kickers remained perfect, 28-28 with 3 minutes left in the half. Council Rock South then put on a 54-yard drive in 7 plays to score with 6 seconds left in the half to enter the locker room with the edge 35-28. The second quarter had seen 49 points scored and a total of 964 yards from scrimmage gained!

This pace was bound to slacken, and it did. Despite a lot of offense again in the third period there was only one score, a Rock South Dimirgian 59-yard bolt; and with another Solis PAT, a 42-28 lead for the Golden Hawks. In the fourth stanza, Solis hit a 29-yard FG to put what I thought was the game out of reach for West. It was 45-28 with 8 minutes left in the game. While I was correct there were three more scores; for CB West a Udinski 1-yard run made it 45-35 and with time left. Then Rock South’s Dimirgian scored on a 4-yard run to make it 52-35. West still wouldn’t quit, and Udinski hit Bell with a 13-yard strike to make it 52-41. West then missed the only missed PAT of the night by either team; I believe it was just a kick attempt, but I had left early to avoid the big crowd exit and don’t know for sure. The final was 52-41.

I had seen a 93-point game! The Council Rock South Golden Hawks had scored on 8 of their 9 possessions including taking a knee on their last. They averaged 8.7 yards a carry for the night. They had 526 yards rushing. The bulk of the rushing breakdown was – Dimirgian 237 yards, Fleming 105, and Donnelly 131. My last written note for the game was, “The Hawks are going to need it next Friday when they host North Penn.”

A story for another time, I was correct in my assessment; as cagey Dick Beck and the North Penn Knights used their offense for defense that next week and Rock South couldn’t score without the ball. Long ball-control drives, plus a good defense, led the Knights to a 28-14 victory and the District One Championship, which I did take in.

by Hal Wilson

In 1969, Mt. Carmel fielded perhaps the greatest team in its long and storied football history. The Red Tornadoes won 12 straight, climaxing a brilliant season with a 47-6 rout of Valley View in the Eastern Conference championship game. Valley View was a new combination of Blakely, Jessup and Archbald – Blakely had frustrated Mt. Carmel 13-6 in the previous year’s title game.

The brightest star on this formidable team was Gary Diminick, one of six football-playing sons of Tornado coach Joe “Jazz” Diminick. In 1969, Gary rushed for 2,099 yards, then a Pennsylvania scholastic record. He scored 38 touchdowns and 244 points, also a state record. His four-year career total offense total was 4,252 yards including 73 touchdowns. He was named All-American, All-State and All-Anthracite after the brilliant 1969 season. In 1968, he had been selected a second team All-State halfback.

This team was led by senior co-captains Diminick and tackle Bob Chuprinski, but most of the talented manpower belonged to the junior class. In 1970, Mt. Carmel again rolled through an 11 game regular season schedule, only to lose the Eastern title game in a 14-8 heart-breaker at Valley View. The Tornadoes had won 23 straight games.

The legendary Jazz Diminick is a native of neighboring Kulpmont where he starred on the unbeaten untied 1944 Wildcat team. He had a stellar collegiate career at Boston College then had a tryout with the New York Giants and played one year of professional football. He served a year as an assistant at Kulpmont helping coach the perfect record 1951 Wildcats.

Moving to Coal Township, he assisted Walter Marshall for four years, including the great 1955 Coal team, and was head man for the Purple Demons in 1956 and 1957. After two years at Susquenita, he spent a year at Levittown, New Jersey ( now Willingboro ), and a year assisting George Chaump at Shamokin. When Mike Terry died suddenly at the end of the 1961 season, Jazz took the reins at Mt. Carmel.

After winning the first eight games of the 1969 schedule, Mt. Carmel faced unbeaten nemesis Shikellamy, itself a jointure of former Big 15 member Sunbury and cross-river rival Northumberland. The Red Tornadoes prevailed 28-6 as Diminick scored four touchdowns. 9,000 at the home Silver Bowl saw the ace back run for 211 yards on 32 workhorse carries, despite a rain-soaked slippery field and the vaunted Shikellamy defensive line. With the victory, Mt. Carmel clinched the Southern Division title of the Eastern Conference.

On Thanksgiving Day, Mt. Carmel thrashed Shamokin, now in combination with Coal Township, 51-9.

The much anticipated championship showdown with Valley View saw a crowd of 10,000 pack the Silver Bowl. The game was not close. The Red and White scored on seven of nine possessions, as Diminick again scored four times, including runs of 14, 27 and 68 yards. He totaled 203 yard on the afternoon, while junior fullback Henry Hynoski bulled for 110.

Junior quarterback Tom Alexander did his part in the rout by hitting on five of his seven passes for a total of 137 yards.

On its opening drive, Mt. Carmel ran the ball on twelve consecutive downs, Alexander finally scoring on a misdirection play from the five. Valley View then reached the Red Tornado 37 where Quarterback Koniszewski was short by inches on fourth down. Diminick then went 68 yards to score, the first time he had touched the ball, and Mt. Carmel began the celebration.

This quick, fast team was determined, well-conditioned, and well-drilled. The Tornadoes scored 504 points in 12 games; yet many games were completed with JV’s playing most of the second half. Coach Diminick says today that, “ We had super, super kids in every respect. They were so good – a great three-year group”.

In addition to the honors heaped on Gary Diminick, tackle Chuprinski received All-State third team honors.

In 1970, end Phil Klaus and Henry Hynoski were named to the All-State third team offense, while Klaus was also selected for the second-team defense.

The mighty 1969 Tornado starting offense:

E 11 Dennis HEPLER 5-11 175
T 77 Gary HOWANEC 6-½ 197
G 67 Frank GRABUSKI 5-7 154
C 66 Ed MORRIS 5-8 173
G 38 Mike SEMICEK 5-9 196
T 68 Bob CHUPRINSKI 6-0 197
E 51 Phil KLAUS 6-1 196
Q 12 Tom ALEXANDER 5-11 144
H 33 Gary DIMINICK 5-8 155
H 20 Carmen DEFRANCESCO 5-6 151
F 36 Henry HYNOSKI 5-10 175

3 Lars MAGNI-NOREN, a Swedish exchange student, handled the place kicking.

On defense, the Mt. Carmel regulars included:

E 81 John HALCOVICH 6-1 165
T 68 Bob CHUPRINSKI 6-0 197
G 57 Joe NARCAVAGE 5-7 165
G 62 Joe MUSHALKO 5-7 154
T 77 Gary HOWANEC 6-½ 197
E 51 Phil KLAUS 6-1 196
L 36 Henry HYNOSKI 5-10 175
L 66 Ed MORRIS 5-8 173
H 84 Joe WOZNEY 6-2 170
H 35 Dave BUSH 6-0 174
S 11 Dennis HEPLER 5-11 175

37  Mark SASSANI at 5-9 170 was a key line reserve, while offensive guard Semicek came on at linebacker when Mt. Carmel went to a “50” defense. Diminick was used in the defensive backfield against Shikellamy and in critical situations in other games.

The perfect 1969 record:

42 PANTHER VALLEY 0
36 TAMAQUA 6
36 MAHANOY AREA 14
51 BLOOMSBURG 6
19 WEST HAZLETON 6
54 MINERSVILLE 6
42 POTTSVILLE 15
56 NORTH SCHUYLKILL 7
42 SHENANDOAH 8
28 SHIKELLAMY 6
51 SHAMOKIN 9

EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

47 VALLEY VIEW 6

1969 star Gary is the oldest of the six football-playing Diminick brothers. He went on to Notre Dame where he was a key halfback and kickoff returner for three Irish squads, including the 1973 National Champions.

Hynoski set a career rushing record at Temple and played with the Cleveland Browns. Klaus was a two-year starter at guard for UCLA, while Halcovich was a three-year starter at end for Boston College. Wozney and Hepler went on to NC State, while Chuprinski and Bush joined Hynoski at Temple. Others played in Divisions II and III.

All six Diminick boys had outstanding football careers at Mt. Carmel. Next brother Ken at 6-0 192 was a second team All State defensive back in 1973 and played three years of collegiate football at Villanova. Joe achieved similar third team honors in 1974 and was a three year letterman at Penn State, 1976-78. Ed went on to UConn and finished his education at Penn State. John played a Lafayette and Michael at Duke.

1972 was another Eastern Conference championship season for Mt. Carmel as the 12-0 Tornadoes defeated Valley View 20-12 in Blakely for the title. In 1973, Mt. Carmel repeated the feat, again going 12-0 and conquering Dunmore 15-6 at the Silver Bowl. 25 straight games were won.

Jazz Diminick retired after the 1992 season with a record of 267 wins, 81 losses, and 7 ties at Mt. Carmel and an overall record 290-91-9.

Back in 1927, Mt. Carmel had beaten Bellefonte, 7-6, at State College in the East-West Central Conference playoff. Behind 6-0, Mike Terry ( then Tarascavage ) scored from the six on a keeper. On the conversion try, Terry, the kicker, took a direct snap from center and passed to end Jim Morrison for the winning point.

In 1954, a powerful Mike Terry coached team won the Eastern Conference title with a decisive 34-14 win over West Scranton. Dan Ficca, a sophomore guard, won All-State first team honors the next two years and had an outstanding career at Southern California and in the NFL.

Since Jazz Diminick’s retirement, the Red Tornadoes have continued their winning ways under Whitey Williams and Mike Brennan. Mt. Carmel teams have won PIAA AA State titles five times since the state playoffs began in 1988 – with championships in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002. The 1998 team was particularly impressive with a 44-7 rout of highly-touted Shadyside Academy in the title game at Hershey.

Following the Bucks as I did in the mid-1990s you got the sense of a snowball rolling downhill gathering momentum and size. The coaching situation was stable and committed, not that there weren’t changes as assistant and special coaches came and went. But there was also a sense of community, a very active booster club and website, spirit galore, and a drive by the kids to “want” to win in order to not let the program down. Not every participant on the team each year was a superstar; but all seemed to give it 100% in the weight rooms and practice, and constantly strive for perfection. I was only an outsider looking in, but this was my perception.

The 1995 Bucks had lost 24 seniors from the past season, and there were 14 on the 1995 roster. The new QB was junior Travis Blomgren, a 6’1”, 180-pound junior. Also on the roster was a sophomore FB/LB by the name of Dave Armstrong, 6’3” and 245 pounds. A freshman making this team was Ben Carber, OT/DL at 6’3” and 280 pounds.  Fifty-two bodies were on the roster at playoff time. I caught my first-ever pre-season scrimmage this season, Phillipsburg, NJ at CB West. I did not see the home opener again against Chester, won by West 27-6. I did see them at Falcon Field the next Saturday afternoon when they beat the Falcons 16-6. I noted that the lines had to be rebuilt and that it looked like they would depend on a power running game this season. I noted that I thought that Norristown, Council Rock, and CB East might challenge. And Norristown was the following Friday night in Doylestown, both coming in 2-0. The Pettine coaching influence was noticed on the coin toss won by the Bucks’. They almost always deferred in order to get the ball first after the half, but this time took the ball to keep it away from the known speed of Norristown. And D1 prospect Daimon Carroll was a big part of that speed. Using ball control offense on the ground and running the clock the Bucks got up 21-0 by halftime. When the Bucks kicked off to start the second half, the ball inadvertently got to Carroll who promptly returned it 90+ yards for a TD. It ended 21-7 CB West. Threat one averted.   On Friday September 29^th the 4-0 Bucks hosted the 2-1 North Penn Knights and I soloed to this one. In a role reversal, the Knights played flawless, mistake-free ball while the Bucks fumbled three times in the first half. The Knights premier RB Harold Padgett was a bludgeon and both lines equaled if not excelled the Bucks’. For the first time since 1981 the Knights beat the Bucks 19-14. I didn’t see that one coming. This was an upset as the Knights (7-4) promptly went to Pennsbury the next week and lost to the 0-5 Falcons in a game I witnessed. The Council Rock-CB West matchup was affected by heavy rain and mud at the Rock grass field. A scrum-oriented pushing contest resulted with the only score one drive off of an Indian fumble for a CB West 7-0 win. The CB East game, no longer on Thanksgiving for some years now was CB West 9-0 versus CB East 7-2. Only one East loss was in the league.

I stood alone near one end zone and got some close up action. The Patriots opening drive looked great, but it was stopped on fourth and one just near the West goal line. The quarter ended 0-0, so West was now driving towards my end zone, and they scored. It was 7-0 West at the half. The Bucks’ received the second half kickoff and used almost the entire third quarter on a drive featuring numerous successful fourth down conversions and finally a fake punt on fourth. They scored three more times including a long interception return to win going away 26-0. At 9-1 the Bucks would be hosting Coatesville in the District One playoff, a foe getting all too familiar. The Red Raiders had at least one loss. The Raiders came in with linemen at 315, 295, 280, 280, and 275 and they looked every bit of it. Behind this line the always capable backs moved the ball and the visitors probably had more offense than West at game’s end. But it had long held that, “make a mistake on West and it’ll kill you” prevailed. The Raiders turned the ball over five times. West capitalized on four of them. The final was 25-6 CB West. I did not follow the Bucks out to Plymouth-Whitemarsh for the District One championship. But, not only did the Colonials beat CB West, but also shut them out 12-0. (Some sources have 16-0).^(a) It was the Bucks first shutout since losing to North Penn 18-0 in 1981. They had to settle for a 10-2 in 1995. The strong underclassman nature of the roster saw no All-state choices in 1995.

The 1996 Bucks traveled to Cumberland Valley, the 1992 4A State Champion, to open the 1996 season. A host of returning, experienced, players were on hand among the Bucks’ 79-man roster. There were 22 “unnumbered” players listed, all sophomores which were probably not included in prior years numbers counts taken from various sources. Travis Blomgren was back for his senior year at QB. Other stalwarts to-be back with their class were Bryan Buckley, so; Steve Patterson, sr; Dennis Cliggett, sr; Corey Potter, jr; Dave Armstrong, jr; Scott Warden, jr; Mario Palena, jr; Dave Edwards, so; Nick Crognale, jr; Matt Volitis, jr; Adam Domurad, jr; Jon Wilson, so; Adam Buckley, sr; Joe Wilson, so; and Ben Carber, so. Having seen the CV Eagles in 1992 and knowing of the fine program they had I was none too sure of a West win out there first game of the season. But win they did 34-12. I soloed to the home opener against Pennsbury due to remnants of hurricane Fran deluging the area. I only noted that “they (Bucks’) are big and experienced and should be an odds-on favorite to win the league and go on to states”. The Bucks indeed were not challenged for the first nine games piling up a 9-0 record and putting up scores of 48-14, 35-8, 27-0, 41-0, 21-0, 56-13, and 49-7. They entered the game versus CB East who was also 9-0. This game is covered pretty well in my article “A Super Season”. So is the loss of both playoff games by East and West ending both 1996 fine seasons; West at 10-1. Dave Armstrong made 1^st team All-state at DE as a junior, and senior Travis Blomgren was 1^st team All-state as a DB. Who could have guessed that Coach Pettine had lost his last game as coach at CB West.

By 1997 the Bucks had not been to states since 1993 in a losing effort, and perhaps some wondered now whether they would ever get back again. But, as can be seen by the prior years’ class standings, a lot of experienced Bucks’ came back in 1997.

And FB/DE Dave Armstrong, sr, was now 6’4” and 255 pounds. OL/DL Ben Carber, jr, now tipped 300 pounds on his 6’3” frame. An understudy FB/LB was sophomore Dustin Picciotti, 6’3” 220 pounds. Junior lineman Chris Havener checked in at 6’4” and 255 pounds. The Wilson brothers were linemen; both juniors and scaled at 6’3”, 225 and 6’4” 250. Senior QB Corey Potter was more of a run threat than passing at 5’11” and 200 pounds. It was a ground oriented offense, but when they threw the Bucks were usually on the mark. But it was basically the Dave Armstrong show in 1997. His size and strength plus the size and the strength of the line out ahead of him were too much for most teams to cope with. Cumberland Valley was in Doylestown for the opener and took a 6-0 halftime lead as I noted, “West had an uncharacteristic half with fumbles, penalties and inefficiency.” But the Dave Armstrong show got in gear in the second half and the Bucks power-footballed the eagles into submission 21-6. At Pennsbury in week three CB West was ranked 5^th in the Nation and 1^st in the East by USA Today. I called them sound if not spectacular with Armstrong a big part of both O and D. He beat the Falcons 21-0, scoring all three TDs and he had scored 10 of West’s 12 touchdowns on the season to date. Mike Pettine Junior had moved from Head Coach at Tennent to North Penn for the 1997 season setting up a most-hyped game of unbeatens between CB West 5-0 and North Penn 4-0 with the father-son coaching rivalry. About 7000 people, TV6, TV29, and USA Today were at the game. The Knights proved a little mistake-prone and West controlled the ball and the game. Two picks and a fumble recovery were converted to scores by the Bucks’. It was 21-0 Bucks after the first quarter. The Knights had had the ball for 6 plays and two punts total in the first quarter. It climbed to 35-0 at the half and at the three-quarter mark. At the end of the third the Knights had the ball on the Bucks one yard line. They converted that and later scored on the subs; final 35-14. The Bucks were not challenged again regular season.

The Bucks at 10-0 would meet the Hatboro-Horsham Hatters in one D1 semi final at Doylestown. Not only Armstrong, but Potter, Warden, and Ortiz moved well behind the massive offensive line. It ended 41-8 Bucks with the lone Hatter score versus the subs early in the second half. A mixture of subs and a few veterans played the whole second half for the Bucks’. This set up the Bucks for a match with the particularly pesky Plymouth-Whitemarsh Colonials who had lost twice to West by only one point each, and beat the Bucks in their last two meetings, including shutting them out in 1995. Although the Colonials could not shut down the running of Armstrong, Potter, and Warden, they again came to play. West got up 13-0 after one, and 21-7 at the half. But the Colonials showed their speed and quick-score capability pulling to 28-22 with about 7 minutes left in the game, West leading.

Another long West drive, Armstrong plunge, and Potter 2-pt PAT sealed it at 36-22, but even so P-W drove to the West 5 and a fourth down pass was incomplete with 10 seconds left in the game.

I had no intention of going to Wilkes-Barre for the CB West – Wyoming Valley West regional the next week. But an old classmate of mine who I occasionally saw at games called and said he would drive and needed company for the long haul. He became in a few years the 6^th and final “crew” member that I write about in my narratives.

A good crowd on a damp, dark day saw a heretofore missing element in the CB West attack, an aerial game. Solid running and wide open receivers led to a 28-0 CB West halftime bulge. In the second half second and third stringers for CB West played and it went to 35-14, before a late defensive score made it 42-14 Bucks’. With exactly 1:00 left in the game the Spartans scored again to make the final 42-21. We enjoyed the game/trip so much, we returned to Wilkes-Barre for the 3A Berwick-Manheim Central Eastern final the following weekend.

That same weekend the Bucks just got by the Central Dauphin Rams 27-24 in overtime at Hershey. The state finals were still in Altoona in 1997 and predicted snow made that out of the question for me. But even Upper Saint Clair was a little under-sized against this massive CB West team. This was still only the 10^th annual championship, and the Bucks set records for rushing yards (508), individual TDs (Armstrong 4), and 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd longest runs for TDs from scrimmage for class 4A. Scott Warden had two of these, 80 yards and 78 yards; and Corey Potter had the third at 46 yards. Although West was never behind, two of the three Panthers scores were controversial. The first was a non-starting clock error allowing the score with 5 seconds that shouldn’t have been there; and the other was a kickoff return where the receiver’s knee was down on receiving the ball. This is what I wrote from write-ups in the papers about the game; it didn’t matter, and perhaps there were clarifications that straightened it out; who knows.

Nevertheless, the Bucks had annexed their second state championship in 4A. Three Bucks’ were first team All-state, Ben Carber (jr) OL; and Dave Armstrong LB and Corey Potter SPEC.

I detailed the 1998 CB West Bucks season in an article on this website. A second straight appearance and second straight championship was won in a decisive manner 56-7 over greatly undersized New Castle in 1998. Five Bucks’ were All-state: Ben Carber, Dustin Picciotti, Joe Wilson, Bryan Buckley, and Greg Kinzel.

The 1999 Bucks’ had a 30-game win streak and double state championship record to defend. They also had a nice mix of seniors and underclassmen to attack the job at hand. Perhaps the job of rebuilding the offensive line was the greatest challenge; the 1998 line was among the best I have ever seen.

More than anything, the defense was supreme in 1999. A fine placekicker was senior Bobby Tumelty. FB Dustin Picciotti was a 6’3”, 245 pound battering ram his senior go-around. Mike Orihel, 6’3”, 175 was QB and juniors Phil DiGiacomo and Dave Camburn added a speed element to the offensive and defensive backfields. Picciotti was also listed as a defensive end. Bob Bowser, OL-DL, 6’2”, 250 was a force for the Bucks’. Senior Angelo Palena, senior, at 6’ and 200 pounds was a running back and defensive lineman. This was an unusual coupling of positions, but as I said earlier; Mike Pettine’s teams adapted the athletes to the need and used skill sets to the maximum. Other underclass linemen with size were Gene Rich, Jeff Antunes, Justin Outten, Josh Sands, and Mike Ward. The roster contained 26 players on the 400-pound squat club. The Bucks reloaded.

They opened the 1999 season at Upper Darby. I did not go and I do not remember the post-game news accounts, but the Royals scored 27 points on the Bucks’. That was more points scored on a Bucks’ D since the fifth game of 1990’s loss to Council Rock 40-33. The Bucks won 54-27 and possible a big early lead led to wholesale substitution and the resulting scores; but I do not know. However, for the next 12 games for the Bucks the opponents score was either 0 or 7. I saw the next four Bucks’ contests, 3 in Doylestown and at Neshaminy.

The Abington game was begun among an atmosphere of thunderstorms in the area. It stayed dry until 2:12 left in the first half, and then lightning and rain stopped play. I noted that the Bucks looked sloppy with two lost fumbles, a poor kick snap, and penalties. But at the point the game was stopped they led 21-0 with the Ghosts still looking for a first down. Picciotti had two TDs on 21 carries for 93 yards. Dave Camburn returned a punt for a TD, and amassed 83 yards. DiGiacomo had just ran 12 yards to put the Bucks at the Ghosts 2-yard line when the heavens opened up, stopping the game. After waiting an hour, the game was announced as official; 21-0 CB West.

The Bucks next handled Bensalem 44-0 followed by Tennent 46-7. I was at both and just noted for the Tennent game the Bucks were without Picciotti (disciplinary) and Orihel (injury); but still looked very West-like with Dave Camburn doing most of the damage and DiGiacomo doing a fine backup QB turn.

The 4-0 Bucks next traveled to the equally 4-0 Neshaminy Redskins and of course it was billed as a “big game.” And the Bucks were banged up – Camburn was nursing an injury, Orihel was just back from an injury, and Picciotti had a bout with strep. But, the Bucks were ready and with DiGiacomo starring hammered the Skins 38-0.

I did not see the next two games when CB West beat Council Rock 17-0 and CB East 42-0. I tried for Truman at West, but was again thwarted by rain and lightning after seeing the first quarter and half the second, and beating it soaked.

The Bucks D bottled up Rondel Bradley, the Tigers 1,000-yard running back while Picciotti, DiGiacomo, and Camburn each had two TDs in repeating the 42-0 score of the prior week against CB East.

On October 30, 1999 I noted that it was a beautiful, warm fall day at Falcon Field, and this would be missed when the Falcons went to lights (for 2000) after all those years. The tempo for this one was set when Pennsbury fumbled the opening kickoff and West recovered. On the first play from scrimmage, Ryan Blomgren raced 29-yards, and the Bucks led before a minute elapsed 7-0. The Bucks got up 14-0, but then the Falcons put together a 10-play, 73-yard drive to narrow it to 14-7. After getting up 21-7; with 6 seconds left in the half, Orhiel hit Ted Kinyon with a perfect 30-yard aerial in the left corner of the end zone and it was 28-7 Bucks’ at the half. The second half was routine Bucks and for the third game in a row the Bucks had 42 points; 42-7 Bucks’.

The next game was billed as “The High School Game of the Century” by some local newspapers. It was the fourth meeting of father versus son as the 9-0 North Penn knights were coming to CB West 9-0. The crowd estimated at 8,500 included TV channels 3, 6, 10, 29, ESPN, and local cable channels. Junior had yet to beat Mike senior in three previous tries, and he would not this night either. The workmanlike Bucks led 14-0 at the half; surrendered a late 3^rd Quarter NP drive and score to close it to 14-7. The Bucks then ate up the clock with long possessions, and iced with a late Bobby Tumelty FG, final 17-7 Bucks’.

The Bucks’ semi-final D1 playoff game was versus the Pennridge Rams. The Rams were 9-1 with only a loss to Norristown on their slate. The Rams won the toss and deferred. The Bucks’ responded with an opening drive and score to go up 7-0. The Bucks drove again but a fumble deep in Rams territory kept it 7-0 at the quarter. Early in the second quarter the rams connected on a beautiful 73-yard run/pass TD to knot it at 7. That seemed to ignite the Bucks’. A quick drive with big yardage-gain plays quickly made it 14-7 Bucks’. The CB West D held and then Orhiel hit Kinyon with a wide-open 59-yard strike to make it 21-7. Two more quick drives with Picciotti plunge cappers made it 35-7 at the half. In the second half Orhiel hit Colahan for 14-yards and a TD, and Dustin Picciotti got his 4^th TD of the game and it was a 49-7 Bucks’ final. A rematch with North Penn for the District One Championship loomed.

Unbeknownst to anyone else at the time; when the Pettine’s, senior and junior, met at mid-field prior to this game Mike Senior told Junior that it was likely his last chance to get a win over pop. I do not know the exact words; Mike Senior revealed this at a later date publically. Although the game was stubbornly battled, 0-0 at the quarter; 7-0 West at the half; the final was as all the other father-son battles, Mike Junior would go 0-5 versus pop. The final was 21-0 CB West. There was not quite as much hype of crowd along the fence as the prior meeting. Both stands were capacity however.

That was the last time I saw a CB West Mike Pettine-coached team. Although I had been to the Wilkes-Barre Stadium twice in 1997 I did not get up there for CB West at Abington Heights this season. The Bucks prevailed 35-7.

This game ended the 12-game streak of CB West allowing either 0 or 7 points to their opponents. They had shut out 7 opponents and allowed 7 points to 5. At this point the Bucks were 13-0 and allowing 4.8 points per game on defense. The offense was scoring at a flat 36 points per game average.

The Bucks were to meet the Golden Hawks of Bethlehem Catholic for the Eastern final at Lehigh Stadium. The Hawks were 11-2 but played a National schedule against Cincinnati Moeller, Cleveland Saint Ignatius, and Oxen Hill, Maryland^(a).  I did not venture up for this one either, even though I had been there twice, but the Bucks did prevail 26-14.

The story of the Bucks’ third consecutive state championship is now familiar, a 14-13 very late win on an Andrew Elsing blocked punt and recovery for a TD and the accurate kicking of Tumelty for the winning PAT. This was in the first year for Hershey championships; a third stadium I had been to, but did not go again.

So, Mike Pettine Senior closed out his career with a decade of 121-8, a 45-game win streak, three consecutive state championships, and total coaching record of 326-42-4. On Thursday January 13, 2000 at a 3:30 PM press conference, Mike announced his retirement. I noted that the 13^th was a gray, cold, snow flurry-day; likely typical of the mood that must have prevailed for the announcement.

(a) All marked stats are courtesy of the fine Don Black high school football history publications or his fine website ePASports.com.

The 1990-1999 decade of the nineties belonged to the Central Bucks West Bucks’. The Bucks played 129 games in this time, and won 121 of them posting a decade record of 121-8. This winning percentage of 93.8% was first in the state for the 1990s for 608 football-playing schools. Although Berwick was first in total wins this decade at 127, the Dawgs had 13 losses leading to a 90.8 winning percentage.  The 1980’s were Ridley’s – 100-5-2 and 94.4%; and again Berwick had more wins, but at 108-17-1 the percentage was 85.8%.^(a)

I began to follow CB West in mid-season 1987, and saw 85 of those 129 games in the 1990s. The ten records posted for the decade were 10-1, 13-0, 11-1, 11-2, 11-1, 10-2, 10-1, 15-0, 15-0, and 15-0. As the old adage goes, “not too shabby.”

The Bucks entered the decade off of a “mortal” 1989 season at 7-4; a season that saw the most losses since 1976, and included a 55-game unbeaten streak broken. They opened the 1990 campaign hosting Souderton on Labor Day Friday and three of our ‘crew’ including me caught the game. West junior Matt Soncini returned punts, had two long TD runs on offense, and the Bucks added an 80+ yard interception return TD to beat the Indians 35-6. Our same three crew attended West’s second game versus Plymouth-Whitemarsh, a team that gave CB West more fits than any other in the 1990s. West had only beaten the Colonials 10-9 in 1989. And in 1990 it was only a single point again 14-13. It would get worse with P-W.

After two weeks visiting other teams, on Saturday night October 6 the Bucks hosted Council Rock (2-2). The Indians brought one fired-up team and crowd to Doylestown. The Indians unleashed an aerial game and speed that was terrific this night. Rock’s Tom Coleman ran the opening kickoff back for 58 yards. Mr. Coleman also ran for a TD, threw a halfback-option pass for a TD, and was a receiver for two TD passes. At one point in the game Council Rock led 40-11. In the second half the Bucks played well enough to make the score respectable, final 40-33 Council Rock. I never again saw CB West that far behind in a game.

After allowing those 40 points, no team scored more than once on the Bucks the remainder of the season; their D allowed 1 TD each to their final 6 opponents. But the final game against CB East was only 8-7 CB West. As this was only the third year of state championship play and before district playoffs, the one loss eliminated the Bucks and Ridley went on to the state final, losing to North Allegheny 21-14. Jay Bower, OL – 6’4”, 255, and WR Matt Soncini 5’8”, 140 were second team All-state for 1990.

Every year that Mike Pettine senior coached at CB West, he and his staff tailored the offense and defense to the talent that was available.

Good line play on both sides of the ball was always evident. Speed cannot be taught, if it was in short supply, a battering ram offense developed. Most times the QB could throw accurately if needed.

Opposing teams were caught between not knowing what was coming, or knowing what was coming but “try to stop it!” And the Bucks never failed to install solid defense either. Among 10 coaches for the 1991 squad you might know names Mike Pettine senior and junior, Mike Carey, Sid Hunsberger, and Dick Beck.

Another adage that “defense wins championships” was apparent with the 1991 Bucks’. Among 13 opponents that season, five were shut out, four more scored one time, and the top score by an opponent was 14 points in the state championship game. The defense allowed 5.8 point per game on average. The O did not lack either, as they averaged 30.5 ppg. I saw this West club 9 times including at Council Rock on Saturday November 2^nd where the Bucks enacted revenge on Rock for the 1990 defeat. In a game of controlled execution perfection both on the ground and in the air, CB West won 49-7. Seniors Greg Moylan QB, Matt Soncini, WO, Ryan Moore, TE, Dave Binder, FB, Roman Fitzmartin, SE, Steve DeLuca, DB, and Chris Cleland, RB, among others, led this fine edition.  My Hatfield buddy and I made Lehigh Stadium for the CB West – Easton Eastern championship game. The practically always-good Rovers were averaging 34.8 points per game behind an offensive line that averaged 6’2”, and 237 pounds. And their running back was Juan Gaddy, a junior who would have over 5,000 yards rushing in his career. But, after the opening drive and lead by the Rovers’ 6-0, the Bucks’ defense shut down the Rovers O. And the defensive secondary and lack of sufficient defensive line pressure from Easton allowed some great pass completions, and a CB West 34-12 victory. These 1991 Bucks went on to become the first AAAA state champion from the east, the first from District One, the first from the Suburban One League, and the first from Bucks County. QB Greg Moylan was third team All-state, and two Bucks’ on All-state defense were Rob Swett (jr.) LB, and Sean Lenz, Specialist.

The 1992 Bucks began the season as the defending 4A State Champions and riding a 19-game win streak. I saw their first five games among a total of 8 for the season. Scores for the five were a bit more restrained than in 1991 at 21-6, 13-0, 36-20, 35-10, and 34-3. But it only takes one point more for a ‘W’ over an ‘L’. In the opener at home my notes said they won their 20^th straight with a good running game and defense. I noted the lack of passing, but I did not know at the time that the starting QB, Ben Snyder sophomore, was subbing for injured starter Bill Marsland senior. I noted in game two that the passing was more evident when Marsland was back at the helm. Featured this season was Rob Swett, 6’3”, 225 pound FB-LB. This was the first year for district playoffs and West (10-0) was home to host Coatesville (9-1). I was among about 7000 fans to take this one in. I noted that the clubs were mirror-image teams living on the run and good lines on both sides of the ball.

The Red Raiders perhaps had the edge in the speed department. I do not think they attempted one pass all game and led 12-6 at the half. West was forced to the air when their ground game was contained and knotted it 12-12 just into the fourth quarter.

But then the Raiders countered with a delayed handoff to Walt Washington, 5’9”, 170 pound speedster, who bolted 50 yards for the winning TD, 19-12 Coatesville. The Raiders amassed 319 rushing yards on West which I doubt was often accomplished. Still playing CB East on Thanksgiving at this time, the Bucks won narrowly 28-23; to finish 11-1. Rob Swett made first team All-state as a linebacker.

The 1993 Bucks were previewed as being a strong defensive club. The opener at Souderton seemed to verify this, a 26-0 shutout. West had two TDs called back on penalties this game, a beautiful long pass completion and a long punt return. The Bucks next went to Norristown where the Eagles beat the Bucks 17-6. I know nothing of what happened here, but it had to be considered an upset as the Eagles ended 6-4 on the season; give the Eagles credit for a big W. At the third game versus Neshaminy, won by the Bucks 27-7, I noted that QB Ben Snyder looked good and “was back”; possibly he was absent for Norristown and part of the reason for the loss? I also noted the Bucks appeared to be living on D this season for the fourth game at North Penn, won by the Bucks 14-0. The Norristown game was the only one of the Bucks first 10 regular season games that I did not see. After shutting out Bensalem 27-0 and Tennent 50-0, the Bucks went to Council Rock. This one was a classic. A sustained Rock opening drive led to a 7-0 Rock lead. West’s O was pretty much contained. But a second period fumble recovery gave the Bucks good field position and they then drove to a 7-7 halftime tie. The Council Rock initial  second half drive was stopped and the Bucks then drove to take the lead 14-7 at the end of three. Early in the fourth, the West punter dropped the snap and Rock returned it for a 25-yard defensive score. A 2-pt PAT pass made it 15-14 Rock. Getting late in the game, an interception put CB West in business for a 71-yard, 13-play drive and 2-pt PAT to go up 22-15. But Rock came back with a 2:16 minute drive and a spectacular Wellen 39-yard pass to Cozza for a diving catch in the end zone to make it 22-21 with 2 minutes remaining. Rock would go for two to win. Wellen again put it into the air, and it was batted up at the goal line with both teams in position to catch the tip. I remember it as one of those movie moments when they go to slow motion to follow the ball down. A CB West defender grabbed it to preserve a 22-21 win. I did not go to Coatesville for the District One championship, but what must have been a great game ensued with West winning 32-21. A mud bath rainy eastern championship at Lehigh saw the Bucks just get by Easton 6-3. A second state championship appearance was thwarted by a nationally recognized North Hills club that scored late and converted a 2-pt PAT to beat the Bucks 15-14. The Indians put four players on the All-state squad: WR Ken Bollens and QB Eric Kasperowicz were first team; and defensive linemen Seamus Murphy, 6’5”, 250 (1^st team), and Chris Barie, 6’3”, 240 (3^rd team). CB West’s Todd Volitis, 6’3”, 240 was right alongside Murphy on 1^st team defense, and Jason Gattuso was a CB West 3^rd team all state choice at linebacker.

The 1994 Bucks were somewhat of a senior-laden club with 24 seniors on the 59-man roster. The new opener this season were the Chester Clippers, a team I hadn’t seen since the Neshaminy era in the 1960’s. Pre-season chatter had the offense as the strong suit this season. Ben Snyder, senior QB looked sharp in the opener with accurate passing. Drops by receivers kept the score down a bit. It was 22-0 Bucks in the fourth. The Bucks then went to a prevent defense and gave up a score, 22-7. With the subs in, the Clippers scooped up a fumble and returned it 67 yards to make it a 22-14 final, CB West. On a Saturday morning radio sports show the next day, Mike Pettine said his “offense sputtered” this game. Featured for the Bucks this term was running back Bill Lowe, 5’9”, 170 pounds, who had 11 touchdowns across the Bucks first four contests. The Bucks came into the expanded playoffs 10-0, for a home semi-final against Wissahickon. The Trojans also featured a running back named Lowe (Shawn). Both Lowe’s also played defense. Both showed their stuff. West’s Bill Lowe had one TD, and almost 200 yards rushing. The Trojan’s Shawn Lowe had two TDs and about 175 yards rushing. The game was tied at 7 and tied at 14 at the half. In the fourth the Bucks got the only other score to win 21-14 after having to quell another Trojan drive. I wrote in my notes that the other quarterfinal was Downingtown over Springfield (Delco) 56-13, and I would make the Whippets the favorites over West in Doylestown next Friday night. I am not always right; and in fact usually do not predict games because I have no confidence of being right. But I was right on this time. It was not only Aaron Harris and Bryn Boggs, two outstanding Whippet backs that ran behind a more than capable O line; but also a stingy defense that was not that much heralded before the game, that did West in. A long halfback pass to Harris, plus a counter to a back other than Harris or Boggs did the Bucks in; final Downingtown 14-7. I again made a note, “Downingtown looks capable of a state championship.” I was wrong; but they played for it and lost to McKeesport only 17-14. But they would win it in 1996. CB West outstanding lineman Mike Gimbol, 6’5”, 265 made first team All-state OL this season.

The first half of the 1990 decade saw the Bucks post a 56-5 record and appear in two state 4A championships and win one.

^(a) All marked stats are courtesy of the fine Don Black high school football history publications or his fine website ePASports.com.

I first saw Abington in 1978 at Pennsbury in an afternoon non-league game won by Pennsbury 28-14.  I did not pick the Ghosts up for my records until 1988 when I added most of the teams I now follow; in addition to the Lower Bucks County League schools I began with in 1951.   I did not get to an Abington home game until 1990.  Of course that was the day field at Susquehanna Road and Huntingdon Road then; not the beautiful edifice currently used.

The Lower Bucks County League closed for business after the 1981 season and its teams were welcomed into the Suburban One where the five old LBCL teams would rejoin William Tennent and add Abington and Norristown as league opponents for 1982.  I could not see much of the Ghosts though, as I had a job-related low period of high school participation 1980 through 1984.

My understanding of the unusual Abington school nickname was that the original “Galloping Ghost”, Red Grange, had appeared at the school and the nickname was adopted.  After Grange retired from professional football in 1934 he was at times a motivational speaker, and this could indeed be the legendary source.

The Ghosts apparently began playing with some other mascot, or none, in 1912; and for the first six seasons played 7 or fewer games a season, as was the case for most schools with early historical starts.  An 8-1 season in 1921 was the first major successful season.^(a)

The 1928 edition may have been the best ever; 9-0 – undefeated, untied, and un-scored upon; 9 shut outs.  It’s hard to get any better than that.  The 1953 team matched the 9-0 record, but the defense yielded 6 touchdowns (most likely – there could have been two FGs equaling 6).

The 1968 and 1969 Ghosts went 11-0 back-to-back, the greatest number of wins in a season and certainly at least a 22-game win streak in the process.  There were other 1-loss and 2-loss seasons among so-so seasons as all schools travel through, but I had seen none of these fine Ghosts’ editions.

The best Ghosts squad I was happy to witness was in 1989.  I saw that squad four times, the most I have ever seen Abington in one season.

The 1989 Ghosts opened at home against Bishop McDevitt of District 12 and narrowly won the game 15-14.

On Friday night September 15 I was at Neshaminy to see the Redskins’ host the Ghosts.  This turned out to be a battle royal.

With four minutes left in the game the score was 28-27 Neshaminy.  I only started to write individual notes on the games I attended in 1988, and in 1989 was still developing the process and do not have a lot on the game.  But Neshaminy led from the start and, listing their score first, the game went 7-0; 7-7; 14-7; 14-14; 21-14; 28-14; 28-21; and 28-27 with four minutes remaining.  It was 14-7 Neshaminy at the half.  The Ghosts received the second half kickoff and Jason Hughes returned it 90+ yards for the tying TD with the PAT.  The Redskins’ answered on the first play from scrimmage after receiving the ensuing kickoff with a 60+ yard burst by Rob Latronica.  In addition, the Skins added the icing TD within the last four minutes to win it 35-27.

This was only the second year of the state championships, and the field was very narrow without district playoffs until 1992.  Unfortunately, this single loss would cost the Ghosts a chance for the playoffs.

Home again the next week the Ghosts defeated the Pennridge Rams 34-0.

Due to the Jewish Holiday schedule changes an attractive slate of games beckoned me for Thursday September 28.  I indicated in my notes that I chose the Abington at Bensalem game because, “I wanted to see that Ghost running game which is awesome.”  This was something because the Bensalem Owls were coming in to the game 4-0, an attraction in itself.  The Ghosts prevailed 28-8 and I noted that FB Gaskins and TB Wooden were very good, along with QB Tinker Harris and WR/return man Jason Hughes.  I also mentioned that what I perceived as a “good defensive back”, Taz Orlina, was injured and didn’t play this night.

I plead totally guilty to being a “ball-watcher” and as a result, the offense and backs get the mention in my notes primarily.  But I know for sure that one offensive lineman on this team is now the Ghosts’ present coach; Tim Sorber, who was an All-state offensive lineman, then at 6’3”, 275, and a senior in 1989.

Abington was home for the next three contests, and I did not get to Abington until the next season for the first time.  Here they beat Truman 29-0; Pennsbury 30-29; and Norristown 14-6.

Now, the Abington-C B West game was in Doylestown the next week, and normally would have been a regular game for me.  But 1989 was not a “typical” year for CB West.  The Bucks’ were 4-3 coming in to the game, and I had seen two of their three losses earlier in the season.  I figured it was the Ghosts’ time this year, and it was: 31-13.  I believe this might have been the Bucks’ biggest loss margin in the 1987-1999 Pettine era that I followed them.  Most times when the Bucks lost; it was by a narrow margin.

I opted for Council Rock at Neshaminy that night, won by Rock 10-7 with a 46-yard FG by Haag with about 6:40 remaining in the game.  Defensive, not much scoring, but a good, even game.

Abington, at 7-1 would visit Crawford Stadium and a date with North Penn (1-7) for Friday night November 3.  North Penn had been snake-bitten this season.  Among their 7 losses were three one-point losses, 22-21, 13-12 and 8-7.  I dined at my Hatfield buddy’s house and we went over to the field, mainly to see the Ghosts.  I made no notes except that the Knights were up, and led for three-quarters of the game.  Only in the fourth quarter did the Ghosts rise and eventually won the game 29-22.  But my buddy and I did marvel at the great team the Ghosts had fielded this season.

I changed my original game intention for November 10 to see the Ghosts one more time.  They were in Doylestown for C B East 6-3, and we thought this might be a good one.  In a rare bit of nonsense my two buddies and I decided to predict the outcome of this one.  We all picked Abington; I said 21-20, Buddy One said 35-14, and Buddy Two said 21-14.  I made no further notes, but we decided to depart early with the score 21-7 Abington in the mid-fourth quarter.  Incredibly CB East used two successful onsides kickoffs in the last 6 minutes for two scores.  As I was not there at the end I do not know the dramatics of the final score which was Abington 21-19.  But I had been only 1-point off on my predicted score!

The Cheltenham game was on Saturday November 18 and was won by Abington 21-6.

The Ghosts finished 10-1, but no playoffs due to the narrow parameters of the playoffs in the early days.  Coatesville represented District One in 1989.

Additionally, the fact C B West had a non-typical year was another factor that would have allowed for the Ghosts to represent District 1.  The Bucks’ finished 7-4, their lowest win season in the same 1987-1999 era I earlier mentioned.  Neshaminy also was 7-4 in 1989 after they were the first-ever state 4A, District One representative in 1988.

Doug Moister was Abington Head Coach in 1989, in his 14^th season as Head Coach.  He would be there for 23 seasons, through the 1998 campaign.  In addition to Sorber, Steve Gaskins and Tinker Harris also made All-state on the defensive side of the ball for this Abington team.  And Junior Shawn Wooden, who would be All-state in his senior year in 1990, later went on to careers at Notre Dame and the Miami Dolphins 1996-2003.

The Ghosts have never reached the 10-1 pinnacle since 1989.  In fact, after a 7-3-1 1990 tour, the Ghosts vaporized into 13 losing seasons out of the next 14.  And the one winning season was only 6-5 in 1996.  But, Tim Sorber and staff, with perhaps an uplift with the new stadium in 2005, revitalized the Ghosts to 9 consecutive winning seasons since then.  And, the last six have been outstanding at 10-3; 8-3; 10-3; 10-2; 8-4; and 10-4; and have included six consecutive playoff appearances.

All history stats are courtesy of the fine Don Black high school football history publications or his fine website ePASports.com.

by Hal Wilson

The North Penn Knights have dominated PIAA AAAA District One football since the turn of the Century. In the ten years since Dick Beck became Head Coach, the Knights have won six District One titles. The best North Penn team of all was the 2003 squad – this mighty machine combined speed with power to compile a 15-0 record and capture the AAAA State Championship.

At the end of the 21st century’s first decade, the 2003 Knights of Coach Beck were recognized by the Philadelphia Inquirer as Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Team of the Decade.

The momentum for 2003 began in the 2002 District One playoffs when the Knights overwhelmed previously undefeated and favored Downingtown on the Whippets’ home field. The Knights returned a veteran group for the highly anticipated 2003 season.

Coach Beck said recently that, “ We were loaded with talent – we had size and speed and could run and throw”.

Two-way standout Kevin Akins teamed with big fullback Jim Casertano to form a strong tandem of running backs. Juniors Adam Hearns and Eric Halberstadt had battled for the starting quarterback slot. When Hearns emerged, Halberstadt seized the strong safety position for his own. Beck states that the two were very close in ability.

The 2003 offensive line was very nearly the equal of the outstanding 2002 group.

The Knights worked their way through a difficult schedule that included decisive wins over Cardinal O’Hara, Bethlehem Catholic and Glen Mills, along with the traditional Suburban One National Conference opponents.

In the District One playoffs, always tough Ridley and northern neighbor Pennridge were dispatched, 28-7 and 42-21. Pennridge, with its star Greiser, led 7-0 in the first half and had marched inside the North Penn 30. Hearns then returned an interception for a touchdown and the Knights were on their way.

In the District One Final against Interboro at Wissahickon in a virtual replay of the 2002 final, the Knights jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on short runs by Casertano and Akins. The Bucs got back into it at 14-7 by halftime, but North Penn scored first in the third on 11-yard dash by Akins and traded scores with Interboro until the final whistle, winning 43-28.

In the state AAAA semi final against Easton, the Knights had five different players score TD’s and rolled to 471 yards of offense. Quarterback Hearns was the standout for the Knights with 275 total passing and rushing yards. The Red Rovers star backs, Piperata

and Gouldburne combined for more than 320 yards – impressive but not nearly enough to derail the Knights.

Pittsburgh Central Catholic was expected to provide a severe test in the State Championship game at Hershey with its mighty-mite back Jarvis. A Saturday blizzard postponed the game to Sunday but neither the delay nor the weather itself delayed the inevitable North Penn victory and following celebration. With the Knights ahead 7-0 in the first half, safety Halberstadt intercepted a Viking pass on his own 12 in a pivotal play. However, a blocked punt deep in Knight territory did enable Central to tie the score. Then Jarvis ran 41 yards to the North Penn 16 with a pass on the last play of the first half.

North Penn turned the game around in the third quarter when Casertano and Hearns scored. Taking the second half kickoff, the Knights marched 61 yards in nine plays, including Casertano’s 35 yards with a Hearns screen pass. Later, in relief of Hearns, Halberstadt dashed 66 yards for the final Knight score

Overall, North Penn had pounded the Viking defense for 454 yards of total offense. Akins had gained 210 yards on 26 carries.

Two-way standout Akins received first team All-State honors as both a running back and defensive back. He had rushed for more than 2,000 yards. Casertano was also a first team All- Stater . He had scored 21 touchdowns in 2002. Akins played defensive back as a senior starter at Boston College. Casertano’s promising career at Delaware was cut short by injury.

Hearns later played at I-AA Coastal Carolina, while Halberstadt was a three-year starter at linebacker for Duquesne.

Center and defensive end Mike Partain became a captain and four year starter at Columbia. Jeff Ball was a three-year starter at Rhode Island. Wide receiver Deanco Oliver finished his college career at IUP.

Coach Beck had been a star two-way lineman on Mike Pettine’s 1984 and 1985 Central Bucks West teams, receiving All-State recognition. After a strong career at Temple as a three-year starter, Beck joined the coaching ranks. He worked as an assistant at CB West for four years, then became the defensive coordinator for Mike Pettine, Jr. at William Tennent, and followed him to North Penn. He became the Knights’ head man in 2002.

Dick’s record at North Penn is 119-20 and includes the phenomenal six District One championships.

“Surreal – a feeling like no other”, is the way Casertano describes his 2003 North Penn experience. “We were loaded at every skill position”. Casertano also believes that Dick Beck was the “perfect man for the North Penn job”, although he had enjoyed playing for Mike Pettine, Jr. as a sophomore.

Current readers, unless they have some age on them, would not think that this struggling program today; once played on even terms with Neshaminy, Pennsbury, and other now prominent big schools.  A small, Class A program, the Bulldogs now seem to have a constant struggle to even field a team.  In fact, in 2001, a one-year interruption in the program caused a football-less season; and each new season is in doubt.  Wins are thin.

But, in 1958, and seasons before, you could not take the Bulldogs for granted.  Among mostly rural Bucks County pre-1950, Bristol and Morrisville were the “big” schools, while mostly farms and open area made Neshaminy (originally Langhorne), Pennsbury (originally Fallsington and Yardley), and Council Rock (originally Newtown), the “smaller” schools.  Even Bensalem, just outside the Philadelphia northeastern line, had yet to see the larger housing developments.

The Morrisville Bulldogs had only one losing season in the 1950s, going 3-8 in 1953.  They beat Neshaminy 6-0 in 1951; their last victory over this greatly growing program.  They were 6-4 with Pennsbury 1950-1959, and they posted five consecutive shutouts versus Council Rock 1954-1958, winning 20-0, 33-0, 27-0, 33-0, and 13-0.  The Bulldogs had won league championships in the past, but had none 1950-1957.  The school had never experienced an unbeaten season since launching football in 1919, and a 9-1 1943 season was the best to 1958.

The 1958 Bulldogs were coached by Gordon Davies, with assistant coaches Dick Lee, John Wnuk and Charles Galambos.  There were no staffs of coaches anywhere near ten or twelve locally in the 1950’s.  The Bulldogs were coming off of a 1957 campaign of 5-3, having narrow losses to Collingdale non-league 7-6, and league to Neshaminy 6-2 and Pennsbury 13-0.  Bob Hart, who would go on to football at Penn State until injured, and coach the 1977 Bensalem Owls to a league championship (10-1-0) before becoming AD at Bensalem, was a senior co-captain on the 1957 squad.

Although graduating 13 seniors from a 27-man 1957 roster, the 14 returning juniors and sophomores were good athletes and saw playing time in 1957.  In addition, a good new sophomore class for 1958 joined the club, plus a super athlete joined the senior class for 1958.  In modern parlance, the ’58 Bulldogs were loaded.  Charles Galambos, the 1951 Morrisville QB, was on the coaching staff before a long connection with Pennsbury where I last talked to him about 2010.  A very solid cast of 38 players dotted the 1958 roster.

Morrisville was always a T-formation, rushing –oriented club, passes were few and far between in the days of simpler offensive and defensive football.  The opener was at Collingdale, and was the only game I have ever seen in Delaware County in my 63 years of high school football.

The Bulldogs prevailed 32-12 with 252 yards rushing and 45 passing for a net 297 yards of offense.  They had two picks on D.  They had no punts and recovered a fumble.  They limited the opposing Bulldogs to 24 yards rushing and a net 69 yards of offense.

The home opener was Darby Township, a second school that no longer exists as with Collingdale.  The Eagles were held to 11 yards rushing and 0 passing for a net 11 yards in a Morrisville 25-0 victory.  It must have been a sloppy or rainy night, because the Eagles lost 2 fumbles and the Bulldogs won despite losing 6 fumbles.  The Eagles were held to 1 first down.

The league slate of 7 games would open with Pennsbury at Morrisville.  Both teams used the Morrisville field for home games in those days, so it was not strange to either club.  Pennsbury was a rival on propinquity; that school district completely surrounded Morrisville other than the Delaware River to the east.  The Falcons had an off year in 1958 and came in 1-2 and finished 4-6.  The Falcons became the third team to be held under 100 yards of offense (barely; 98 yards total, 84 yards rushing), and Morrisville won 27-6.

Council Rock had started 4-0 in 1958 and would face the 3-0 Bulldogs at Neshaminy.  I do not know if the game was played there for capacity reasons, or if Rock used the Langhorne field while their field was under construction.  I know they opened 1959 there in a game against Souderton which I saw.  The Bulldogs could only cross the goal line twice in a 13-0 victory; but held the Rock offense to 2 first downs, 21 yards rushing and 18 passing for 39 net yards of offense.  Rock had come into the game scoring an average of 26 points per game.

The Panthers of William Tennent would visit Morrisville for the next contest.  Although only 1-3, the Panthers had two narrow losses to Hatboro 7-6 and Neshaminy 20-19.  Such was high school football in the 1950s.  “On any given night” seemed to have more meaning back in those days.  The Panthers broke the 4-game defensive stranglehold of the Bulldogs and with 88 yards on the ground and 52 via the air amassed 140 net yards against the Bulldogs.  But it was of no avail as the Bulldogs posted their third shutout in 5 games, again 13-0.

Bensalem at 1-4-1 would next come to Morrisville.  They managed 3 first downs, 78 net yards of offense and a TD, but lost to Morrisville 32-6.

This set the stage for the game of the year for 1958 in lower Bucks County.  Neshaminy (6-1, with a non-league 26-13 loss to Pennridge) would host the 6-0 Bulldogs and about 10,000 people chose to take it in.  This was a classic.  The Redskins could run or pass and put up 115 yards in the air; but the terrific Bulldog ground defense yielded only 56 yards on the ground.  After a 0-0 first quarter and most of the second, Morrisville executed a halfback-option pass from Dave Fabian to Jim Tanzillo who made a great leaping catch in the end zone to put the Bulldogs up 6-0 after a missed PAT at the half.  But Neshaminy was rarely shut out in the 1950s.  In the second half the Skins scored, but the PAT was also missed, knotting the game a 6-6.

There were no overtime rules in 1958; if the game ended tie it was a tie; and that is exactly what happened.  Neither side was overly happy at a 6-6 stalemate.

Delhaas also had a fine team in 1958 and was 6-2 for the Bulldog match.  This game was also held at Neshaminy for capacity reasons and another big crowd was on hand.  The bruising Tiger rushing attack became the first and only team to exceed 100 yards on the Bulldogs; they made 112 and added another 115 passing to net 227 yards, the most Morrisville gave up all season.  The Bulldogs about evened this with 220 net yards, but of course 182 of that was rushing.  With such even statistics you might expect an even score, and it was; a 14-13 Bulldog victory.

The Bristol-Morrisville Thanksgiving Day rivalry was somewhat storied in lower Bucks County.  It was the oldest such rivalry at the time, and always one of those “forget-the-records” deals.  The Bulldogs were favored this season at 7-0-1 versus the Warriors at 5-4-0.  The Warriors scorched the air for 150 yards passing, but this game, Morrisville exactly equaled it at 150.  The big difference was on the ground where the Bulldogs ground out 207 yards and held Bristol to minus 30.  The final was 38-7 Bulldogs.

This was my senior year at Morrisville (I was not an athlete) and it amazes me that with my love of high school football that it is the only undefeated (although with one tie) season in the history of the school.  Morrisville and Neshaminy shared a co-championship at 6-0-1 each in the league.

The great athletes then at Morrisville included two future professional athletes.  Running back Danny Napoleon had come to us in his senior year from elsewhere and was a 4-sport athlete.  I did not follow track, but watched Danny excel in baseball, basketball, and football.  He went on to a few years career with the New York Mets in baseball.  He left us too soon a few years ago.

Dick Hart (Bob’s younger brother) was a sophomore starter on this team playing both ways.  Dick was accepted for professional baseball (Milwaukee Braves) and football (Eagles, Jets) and chose football after two more years of high school.

A small school as Morrisville was featured many 2 and 3-sport athletes.  Denny Poland was a junior on this club.  He had a fine baseball, basketball, football career in school, and as with Hart, had been on the 1955 Morrisville Little League world champions as a pitcher.

The Bulldog linemen were not exceptionally large, but were mobile, tough, and smart.  Fran Lucash, Dale Olafson, Bruce Platon, and Leigh Shull were very intelligent, had good grades, and most likely all went on to college and success; not necessarily as athletes.

Other underclassmen, Bill and Rich Cominsky, Jack Weaver, Ed Neuman, Al Radosti, Vince Straszynski, Jeff Giano, Jim Gafgen, and others would ensure two more good seasons for the Bulldogs (8-1 in 1959 and 7-2 in 1960).  Ed Neuman went on to coach high school football in lower Bucks County, and Jim Gafgen has turned out numerous sculptures of sports and other figures.

Although I do not often visit class reunions, I have run into Denny Poland, Ed Neuman, and Jack Weaver various times at Falcon Field for games and “old times” chatter.  I occasionally get to Morrisville games and my alma mater is third on my total times seen list at 138 times, but I rarely run into many ex-classmates or athletes.  It is not only due to the status of the program there now; but sadly many of the athletes are no longer around; and those that have already departed earth forever is an even sadder factor.

I have been privileged to see many good high school football teams in my lifetime.  I am not old, but I have been young for a long time now!  While I cannot truly distinguish the “best” team ever on a basis of player-for-player, era-to-era, and other comparatives as well; as anyone else does I try to rationalize and at least have a bracket for “one of the best”.

I accord the 2004 Pittsburgh Central Catholic squad as the best I ever saw in person in the state final that year against Neshaminy.  In this I am apparently not alone as this team is mentioned in almost any circle that is discussing the subject; especially notable in the PCN cable broadcast of the state championship previews a couple of years ago.

The 1992 Berwick Bulldogs and 1996 Downingtown Whippets are in the mix, as is our subject, the 1998 Central Bucks West Bucks’.

The ’98 Bucks’ had a state championship and unbeaten streak to defend.  I had seen the last Bucks loss in 1996 to Plymouth-Whitemarsh in a District One semi-final at Doylestown 21-16.  And I had seen 9 of the 1997 Bucks’ games when they finished 15-0-0 and won their second state championship.  Their prior state title had been in 1991, and they lost at a final in 1993, so there was no particular expectation (for me) of a repeat in 1998.

After opening the season in Doylestown Friday night September 4th to see CB East narrowly defeat Spring-Ford 14-13, I caught the Saturday afternoon (9/5) Archbishop Ryan at Pennsbury affair won by Pennsbury 21-6, and then went to Doylestown again Saturday night for Upper Darby at C B West.  I love trifectas, when I can catch Friday night-Saturday afternoon-Saturday night games.  But it doesn’t happen that much in modern times.

While I had some crew for the first two, I had to solo this time for West.  The first comment in my notes after the game was, “Wow!  West appears better than last year and at least this night, to have no weaknesses.  Offense, defense, talent, size, speed, depth, running, passing.  It was all there tonight.  All of the expected talent performed, plus the subs did as well.”  The Royals did not score on the Bucks defense.  The final score was 59-7 and the Royals TD was a fumbled punt reception run in for their score.  The West subs scored four times on the Royals defense.  The West kicking game had 8 for 8 successful PATs and 1 for 1 Field Goals.

The Bucks were home again on Friday 9/11 and almost repeated their first game score blasting Abington 56-7.  As the Ghosts had been 1-10 in 1997, I skipped that one in favor of Bensalem at Council Rock which offered to be a close game.  You can’t get much closer than 0-0 at the end of regulation, so we had this one pegged correctly.  In double OT, Rock won 3-0.

On Friday 9/18/98 the Bucks were at home for the third consecutive game this time hosting Pennsbury.  The Bucks won 41-0.  This would be an unfortunately historic year for the Falcons who went 3-8 on the season, their only such season in my 63-season history of this squad.  They had only one worse, 2-5-2 in 1954.

The Bucks first away game of the season was at Norristown on Friday 9/25.  Both the Eagles and Bucks were 3-0.  I had seen the Eagles beat Pennsbury 19-17 on the second Saturday of the season, but have never been to Roosevelt field in Norristown.  This must have been a pretty good game, and the Eagles were good in 1998.  The final was 28-13 Bucks, the first time they were held under 40 points and the first time they gave up more than one score.  The Norristown Eagles would end up 11-2 this season, both losses being to CB West.  It was Mike Pettine Senior’s 300^th win.

The Bucks were back home on Friday 10/2 to host Neshaminy.  As with Pennsbury, the Skins were also having a down year, coming in 1-3.  The final was 42-14 Bucks and I noted that both Redskin scores were against the subs.  CB West was then ranked first in the state and I indicated that they executed flawlessly in my notes.  They had very few miscues of any kind.  Fullback Dustin Picciotti, linemen Carber and Joe and John Wilson, and Buckley and Edwards were all West roster names that I mentioned in my notes.

Next up for the Bucks was a trip to Crawford Stadium to meet the equally undefeated North Penn Knights 5-0; and the second father-son match up of Mike Pettine Senior versus Junior in his second year with the Knights.  I had dinner at my Hatfield buddies home and then we went to Crawford Stadium.  A rain-soaked crowd of about 9500 joined us.  The Knights opened the scoring when a West fumble popped up in the air, was grabbed by a Knight lineman and returned 68 yards for a TD.  The lineman might have been Dan Chang, the present Plymouth-Whitemarsh coach, I am not sure; he wore number 50.  The PAT was missed.  C B West answered with a sustained drive and Picciotti 6-yard blast.  Tumelty kicked the PAT, 7-6 CB West.  Just before the half the Knights executed a direct snap to the fullback in a tight-T formation.  He then hit Fitzpatrick with a 17-yard pass TD.  The Knights went for two, but a pass was close but dropped and it was 12-7 Knights at the half.  C B West received the second half kickoff and a ball-control, line-surge game ensued; Piciotti eventually went in from 4-yards out.   The PAT was muffed, and the game ended 13-12 Bucks’.

I had seen four of the Bucks first six games and opted for other matches the next three weeks.  During this time the Bucks beat Bensalem 62-7 (away), Truman 35-0 (away), and Council Rock 21-17 (home).  The Bucks were now 9-0, with only their last regular season match with C B East 7-2 remaining.  East had only lost to North Penn and Norristown.

The East-West games were usually standing room only for an outsider like me.  But one of our crew had obtained tickets this year and we had seats for the first time for this matchup.  A pre-game unexpected shower did not last long thankfully.  I did not write any notes on this game, but West prevailed 42-20.  I noted that the crowd began to thin in the fourth quarter so it must have been decided.  The 20 points were most given by CB West all season, so some might have been very late; I do not remember.

At 10-0 the Bucks would be home for the first two playoff games as the structure then provided.  This was great for me, and the first game was a rematch with the North Penn Knights.  Four of our regular “crew” and two guests took this one in.  This time the Knights received and had two 10-yard first down runs.  A few additional yards were added, but then the first of three NP turnovers put the West offense on the field.  A drive netted only a field goal, 3-0 West.  Then with only 1:57 left in the half a Picciotti short burst made it 10-0 at the half.  But a Knight punt was forced and in only 3 or 4 plays the Bucks’ went 62 yards for a back-breaker and 16-0 halftime lead.  I made no more notes but the final was 29-8 Bucks’.

Another rematch – this time with Norristown followed on the following Friday night in Doylestown for the District One title.  Two crew members and I were there.  C B West got off to a fairly quick 7-0 lead, but I remarked then looked a little flat.  The Eagles’ speedy Swittenburg broke a 60-yard TD on the Bucks, and it was 7-7.  But West answered quickly on a long Edwards’ run and went back up 14-7.  They added another TD before the half to take a 21-7 lead to the locker rooms.  On this night Picciotti would have four short run TDs to put it away.  The final was 35-14 C B West.

I was thrilled to learn that the Bucks’ regional encounter the next Saturday would be at Council Rock, the closest stadium to me of all that I visit.  It was still grass then, but a nice field.  The opponent would be the Abington Heights Comets from District 2.  A buddy and I sat on the away side as we always do, but the Comets brought a big crowd from the Scranton area and we moved to the home side as we were out of place.  We settled in and soon our Lambertville buddies’ wife dropped him off and he found us for a threesome.  The stadium was soon packed.  The Comets came to play and dominated early play on both offense and defense, but could only get up 3-0.  Midway in the second period they set up for a second field goal try.  The snap was high and the QB-holder lobbed a pass to the end zone instead.  But C B West’s speedster Dave Camburn picked the toss and returned it 100+ yards the other way for a TD.  It was only 7-3 West at the half.  But the second half was all West, especially on defense.  The Bucks returned a punt for a TD.  Another high snap cost the Comets a safety.  It fell apart for the Comets and it was 30-3 before the Comets again made a valid score.  But then Picciotti busted a long one and it was 37-10 Bucks which was the final score.

The eastern final would be at Neshaminy, another local stadium for me.  The opponent was to be the Trojans of Parkland, and from seeing them in 1996, I thought this might be a tough one for the Bucks’.  A different threesome of buddies including me made this one.  I only wrote that the Bucks scored on their first three possessions and never looked back.  It ended 34-7 Bucks, and they would be playing for their second state championship in a row in 1998.

Although I had seen these Bucks in 9 games this season including all of the playoffs so far, I did not yet go to any state championship games.  The crew member that got me to the state title games was an old classmate of mine that had just hooked up 1997 and 1998 for two longer trips, but was not a “regular” yet.  Other than me, none of the other gang was interested in a long late season trip for the championship no matter who was playing.

So, I had to depend on TV coverage for this state title game.  New Castle, D7 was the opponent for the Bucks and they must have been good to be there, but they were undersized for this match.  And this Mike Carey-coached offensive line was one of the best I have ever been witness to.  The Bucks played what was nearly a perfect game, a marvel of efficiency.  They got the ball 8 times and scored 8 times, the last two by the subs.

The Bucks received the opening kickoff and behind the line play drove the field with a Picciotti 1-yard plunge capping it.  Tumelty then kicked the first of 8 PATs he would kick.  On the next Bucks possession, Picciotti bolted 86 yards around the outside and the first quarter ended 14-0 Bucks’.  West’s 3^rd and 4^th possessions were controlled drives punctuated with longer runs and ending in Picciotti 1 and 2-yard plunges for a 28-0 count.  Next time the Bucks got the ball Dave Edwards scampered 70 yards for a 35-0 halftime lead.  The New Castle possessions were not all three and outs, they did have a good QB running and throwing; but they could not sustain momentum enough to score.  They got the ball to start the second half with the same result.  When West got the ball Picciotti bolted 64 yards and it was 42-0.  New Castle was able to hold the ball in the third quarter because it ended 42-0.  The Bucks’ subbed now and Senior QB Bill Stone was still able to drive the team and plunge a yard for a 49-0 bulge.  Full subs on defense for the Bucks’ now allowed the single Red Hurricanes score for a 49-7 count.  Second and third teamers got the last score on the Bucks 8^th possession, with a Damien Smith 5-yard TD; final 56-7 C B West.

New Castle simply had no answer for Bucks’ linemen Ben Carber, 6-3, 310; Jon Wilson 6-3, 255; Joe Wilson 6-4, 280; and Chris Havener 6-5, 285; all Pettine-Carey-coached and talented.  West had 30 players that weight squatted 400 pounds.

This was the most points scored in 4A finals until North Allegheny’s 63 in 2012; and it is still the greatest margin of victory (49 points) in 4A title history.  It was the Bucks 30^th consecutive victory and 2^nd consecutive state 4A title appearance and third 4A state championship.